I.

Last Minute

Gabriella Montez was finally eighteen, and going to college soon. And it had just started with a riot.

"Mom…" She trailed off, panicking quite a bit, making a ruckus in the Montez home. This math-whiz and girlfriend of Troy Bolton, as proclaimed in her memorable high school East High, was packing up her necessities in her stroller bags. And from having so many books ranging from Science and Math textbooks to fiction novels, she had to have a separate bag for them.

"What is it Gabby," Her mom, Ms. Maria Montez, called out from downstairs, a bit preoccupied on her cooking. "Anything wrong?"

Back from upstairs, her smoky almond eyes scanned through her room, finding what she was looking for. She called back out to her mother before she approached the necklace that Troy gave to her during their great summer together with their friends. Minus the fact that there were a lot of conflicts that time, the worries for the price of college looming around them, and Sharpay.

It was seated on the now deserted drawer. When her footsteps clicked on the varnished maple floor, her eyes hovered over her surroundings, making sure everything was set for her departure before she grabbed it.

"Nevermind!"

Downstairs, Ms. Montez could only shake her head in mirth as she began to scoop the pancakes and flip them to a polished, clean plate. "Ok then, come down here after your done with everything to eat your breakfast!" She shouted back.

"Ok!" Gabriella replied when she flopped down on her blackwood bed, beside the unzipped bags, the white linen sheets folding and molding her lithe body, her dark chocolate hair astray. With newfound curiosity, she played the chain of the necklace within in her fingers, intertwining it at the same time. And as the letter T shone started to twinkle due to the sunlight seeping through her balcony window, she began to reflect.

I can't believe it. I'm going to college. She thought happily, a smile creeping in her blooming face. Yes, she was finally going away, going to be free.

Independent. She thought again, finding the best word for it. But what was great for her was that both Taylor McKessie and she were rewarded with scholarships grants from College of Santa Fe, which wasn't far from Albuquerque, of course, as indicated on the name of the college. Taylor, who was supposed to be in a different college as well, couldn't pass up the grant. There were plenty of advantages for her, one was that her best friend was going to be with her.

Gabriella was going to take Business Administration with Taylor taking Science and Conservation Studies for a change.

She sighed dreamily. The math-whiz was still going to be with her best friend. But what was greater though was that Troy Bolton, her boyfriend, was going to be there with her.

Yes, they had finally decided that, even though they were going to college, they won't say goodbye and be together. And another yes that Gabriella didn't enroll in Stanford University in the last minute "Because," she said vaguely, "It didn't want it anymore." And that was that. Although all her friends knew that it was partly because of Troy.

"Together forever." Troy said to Gabriella with his usual grin. Gabriella grinned at the thought, liking the sound of that, no matter how corny it was.

And somehow, all the other wildcats--like Chad, Jason, Zeke, and even Kelsi--who were supposed to be in different colleges after their senior year, were in the same city. But that didn't matter too much for Gabriella on the whys and the hows. Troy had once sacrificed his once-in-a-lifetime basketball scholarship in University of Albuquerque to be reconcile their relationship. And for the second time, he did it again, although that he was going to be in St. John's College.

But even that, she practically adored and loved him when he broke the news during their one of the more special dates.

He's so sweet.

Sighing again, she closed her eyes, immersing herself in the temporary darkness and opened them again, now realizing something that was a bit too weird even for her. Gabriella never heard any news at all where Sharpay and Ryan Evans were going to college. It was strange since they're one of the most popular people in East High, besides Troy Bolton. And herself, she needed to admit truthfully.

Maybe they're going to pursue their fame or something. She shrugged inwardly, satisfied with that thought, knowing that the ever famous ice-queen and her fraternal twin brother were the daughter and son of the very rich Evans family. And that means they could go through life through a breeze with luxury and money. And of course, fame.

But that didn't mean though that the parents would let both Sharpay and Ryan--especially Sharpay--breeze through school… Now would it?

Ugh. I'm going around in circles here. Gabriella dropped her arm on her beautiful face--with the necklace now resting still on her palm--feeling relaxed and a bit irritated at the same time, having too many thoughts compiling inside her brain. Mathematical thoughts didn't do that to her, but real-life stuff did.

Hey, just call me the freaky math girl. Talking to herself in her mind. A giggle escaped from her lips when she remembered that Troy did say something similar to that.

"Hey, just call me the freaky callback boy." Were the exact wordings.

The once shy outcast and geek's thoughts were broken as the doorbell echoed through her ears, followed by a knock from her teak door seconds after.

"Come in." Gabriella said, sitting up.

The door creaked, showing her mom's face. With the same dark hair and a few features similar to Gabriella's, she smiled at her daughter.

"Troy's downstairs waiting for you, Gabby. And I'm surprised he's in the front door." Her smile growing wider by the second.

In a beat, she quickly stood up and after kissing her mother on the cheek as a thank you, she immediately went downstairs. Arriving at the entrance door, she straightened her long-sleeved black shirt and pants to make herself presentable before she opened it with a great, big smile at her handsome boyfriend, who gladly returned it back with a kiss.

Sharpay Evans was finally eighteen, and going to college soon. And it had started with a riot.

Sharpay Evans put on her sunglasses over her golden head with the same aura practically screaming 'Fabulous' in Las Vegas lights as she began to catwalk--or for better word, swaggered--across her room, which looked more like a suite straight from a five-star hotel minus the closet bigger than an actual apartment and the fact it was really pink. She then found her four-post grantland bed and floor filled with her luggage, with at least three of the bags actually full of mirrors, tiaras, and portraits of herself. Boi, her Yorkie, only sat still, looking on at his owner with confusion.

Taking in the surroundings of her room, which was now empty except for the designer bags, her expression was somehow a bit unmoving. But inside, she was a tiny bit happy.

She was now going to live independently, Sharpay-term--which meant there were going to be maids with her in her already-bought luxurious apartment.

But the thing was, she didn't know where her apartment was going to be, or where she was going to college.

"It's a surprise." Her mother, Darby, said with glee and excitement, Sharpay only getting madder at that.

And it all started when Ryan, her fraternal twin brother, wasn't going to be with her, saying that he wasn't going to be in her shadows anymore. She scowled immediately at the thought.

"Look sis, I'm not going to follow you around like some kind of poodle anymore like before. No matter how many times you try to say sorry about doing this or that, it just happens again. I'm tired of trying to let you see me as your equal since it's probably useless to try now. It's my time to be far, far, away from you and besides you've always wanted the spotlight. You want it all, so I guess you'd better take that Juilliard scholarship alone sis." Ryan said, emphasizing how far it will be when Sharpay, again, compromised with fame and fortune if them two would be together to pursue their goal, but actually it was only her goal, not Ryan's.

And Sharpay was speechless.

Apparently, even after all the years they had been together as a duo, Sharpay acted up again and again, until Ryan just snapped. Truth to be told and even though she would never admit it, Sharpay was very dependent on her brother.

Against her prediction, their mother and father agreed that Ryan and Sharpay would be in separate schools. And since Ryan and Sharpay continued to argue about that, their parents finally decided something.

"Alright, alright. Stop it you two!" Derby said, her head already beginning to ache as the two began to bicker like crazy.

Both Sharpay and Ryan stopped almost immediately, a bit breathless, knowing not to touch their mother's nerves. They were still glaring at each other though. Their father, Vance Evans, however, was thinking deeply, not minding the ruckus.

Sharpay, the ever daddy's girl, looked at him with dramatic puppy-dog brown eyes. "Daddy? You surely aren't going to separate me and Ryan…"

Ryan rolled his eyes, definitely irritated, knowing Sharpay was now using her acting skills. Their father looked at her with a grin and the diva practically brightened up.

Thinking that her father was going to disagree, she grinned. But then quickly frowned, knowing now the conclusion.

"Ok. I agree with Derby. You two should be in different schools. It'd be better to be that way since you two are practically inseparable… But since you two can't stop fighting about this small problem, how about we'll decide what college where you two will go. Different colleges."

Sharpay's dropped her mouth, unbelieving in her current situation with Ryan ending all this with a grin.

"What?! You can't be serious about this!" The blonde diva exclaimed, overreacting. All three flinched at that, but not surprised at the rather dramatic reaction.

"Now, now darling. I know that this may be a little bit harsh on you but of course, Ducky needs to be independent. He's always been with you, and I know you hate to see your brother go, but this is good. For the both of you." Derby reasoned. Ryan was always attached to their mother dear. But when he thought of his mother's notion, it was so wrong, he cringed at that.

"But…"

"No buts Princess," Their father said, now sure, even though it was a bit heartbreaking to tell that to his daughter. "This is final. Now, I'll arrange everything for you both, and we're not going to tell you two until it's time to go."

Sharpay scoffed one more time at the memory. As if her life didn't get any worse, it did. Being in more than fifteen school productions didn't help her calm down at that thought. Besides being put down by her own twin brother, she had to decline her Juilliard scholarship in the last minute, knowing that pursuing her Broadway career in New York won't be the same if Ryan, although really hating to admit it, wasn't going to be there with her.

Her frown grew deeper, thinking back at the previous years.

She lost Troy Bolton to Gabriella. She never played the lead in Twinkle Town because of Gabriella. She was never got what she wanted because of Gabriella.

Gabriella, Gabriella, Gabriella. God she hated that name to the ends of the earth. Moreover, she hated that person who had that name next to her family name Montez ever since it was written on her birth certificate to make it official.

And probably, Gabriella would haunt her to the grave. For all her high school years, she had been chasing Troy like a wolf, or as Chad would refer, a mountain lion. But now, well, she had given a little bit of hope. Just a little bit, and this was already a miracle to a person who was really headstrong.

Everyone changes, and Sharpay had changed just a tiny bit. To think, college was a fresh start for everyone. But now, she won't be seeing the Sharpettes anymore, knowing she won't be going to the Lava Springs for a long time.

She shook her head, trying to get rid of the jumbled thoughts at the same time. She then looked at her French window. Her limousine was already there and Ryan's was as well. She narrowed her chocolate brown eyes and then slipped on finally her pink Chanel sunglasses, matching her Armani Exchange black halter top and mini skirt. Now walking out of the room, she knew in the back of her mind that the maids were going to fetch her Louis Vuitton luggages--which were a lot-- from her room to the limo. With her footsteps clicking on the rich floor, Boi knew to follow her owner.

And as she arrived at the living room, her attention averted to her rather giddy mother and her proud father with a smirking Ryan already suited in his usual clothes--a red button down shirt and black slacks with a matching fedora.

She sighed one more time, trying to calm herself down at what she was about to learn soon.

"Hey Gabs." Troy said, genuinely smiling at his girlfriend, who was already blushing. Gabriella, still always the reserved person she was, had closed the door before them to get some privacy. But when that happened, she got another tender kiss on the lips from the basketball jock. Now when they had broken the kiss, there they were, Gabriella leaning on the wall beside the door with Troy pressing one hand on the wall leaning onto her at the same time, shadowing Gabriella's best features.

"Hey Wildcat," The math-whiz whispered before Troy held her hand with such gentleness and touch his forehead with hers. Their gazes were locked, blue to brown.

"What are you doing here early anyway?" She continued sweetly. Troy blinked twice and that triggered Gabriella's thought that Troy was trying to make an excuse.

"Well, I uh…" He started, not really knowing what to say.

Gabriella placed her index finger on his lips. "Save it. You don't have an excuse."

He could only chuckle. "Am I that readable now?"

She place tapped her lip thoughtfully, as if really pondering. After a few seconds, she then looked at him and nodded. "Yup."

A few stray light brown tresses fell over his beautiful blue eyes as he laughed again. That was why he loved Gabriella so much--her sweet, confident, and witty personality under all of that gorgeous face and guarded personality.

After all their years of dating and being together, with the side of Sharpay drama and other stuff that mattered, they had melded into something more.

"So, wanna take a walk?"

"Sure."

With that, the two quickly walked hand in hand on the sidewalk, with the blue sky as their only witness, the summer winds rushing past them lazily as they talked about college, hopes, and their future.

"Again…What?!" Sharpay screamed her award-winning scream and all three had to cover their ears, afraid that maybe that she'll take their ears off with their heads. She had to take off her sunglasses for being so shocked.

"Princess, you're overreacting, it's just near here in Albuquerque, and you know we can visit you anytime of the day. Besides, they have the course you wanted to take. You know your Broadway or show business career?" Vance said, trying to calm her down.

Sharpay gaped and was supposed to reply that although it was true, it won't be as great without Ryan. But then Ryan, the grin never coming off of his face, intercepted. The blonde bombshell gave him a death glare.

"Great! So, where am I gonna be?"

Derby then took out a brochure and looked at it with newfound interest. "Well Ducky, since you said last week that you love to enter the same as your sister's…" She started and then looked up at her hopeful son.

"You'll be in Maryland Institute College of Art." Their mother finished with a proud smile on her face as she gave the brochure to the blonde blue-eyed.

Baltimore. That was far away alright.

Ryan's grin grew even wider and hugged his mom and dad, with Sharpay looking at them getting all chummy, still as angry as ever. She was feeling that a lot lately, being angry.

"Just great," She muttered to herself sarcastically. Boi--as fashionable as his owner--as always, looked on at the family.

Their dad, breaking up the hug, looked at his princess. "Sweetheart, why don't you give us a hug too?"

The blonde woman rolled her eyes. "No thank you. I'd better not ruin my hair." But one look from her father made her decide that she should. So she grumpily did. Ryan had to stifle a laugh when looking at the three, knowing that he won over his sister. And it felt great.

"Alright now, Son you'll be taken to the airport, a private jet is waiting for you there. While you Princess," Looking at her again he kissed her forehead, which was awarded with another frown, Mr. Evans continued, "You'll be taken to Santa Fe and your Mustang's already there. We'll miss you two so much, so try to keep in touch with us alright? Oh, and here are the college applications but you can fill them up there." He then gave them each just that.

"And," Mrs. Evans cut in with, "You're going to take the entrance exams as soon as you are settled in."

Then their parents gave them each a kiss and another hug one last time as the two went their own separate limousines--one grudgingly, the other happily. Boi, already in his pink travel carrier, was already inside Sharpay's limo.

"Don't ever hesitate to call us."

They then waved them a goodbye as the cars sped off in opposite directions.

Derby frowned a bit, tears threatening to go all out. She was already missing them and thought that they didn't really get a proper goodbye to their children. "I can't believe it Darling. They're growing up. I'm really going to miss them." He smiled and wrapped one arm over her shoulder.

"Me too," Vance sighed. "I just hope that they'll be happy with the colleges we chose for them."

"So… No regrets?" Troy asked Gabriella, who was rather focused on eating her ice cream. When they had strolled by the sidewalks, they had stopped by an ice cream stand, and now they were on their way to Gabriella's home since it was already almost lunch.

And he could only smile at how adorable she was, enjoying her ice cream.

"Regrets on what Troy?" She asked back, finally finishing her vanilla ice cream.

"You know, not going to Stanford University and going to Santa Fe instead?"

Gabriella shook her head. "Nope. You?"

"Missing the basketball scholarship of a lifetime and a prestigious college for you? Nah. Not a chance." His crazy expression with his arm waving that off signalled to dismiss it.

Gabriella giggled at that. "Prestigious?"

"What's wrong with prestigious?" He shrugged.

"Nevermind." She shook her head, wondering how he got that formal word in such a casual conversation. Troy, Gabriella had to admit, wasn't so bright. She had to tutor him about the difference between a novel and a novella. He was one distracted guy.

"This," Gabriella then slammed the novella on Troy's lap. They were in her bedroom, and Gabriella's patience was quickly evaporating.

Troy scratched his head, confused. "I don't get it. If it's the same with the novel, why do they call it a novella?"

"Because it's shorter than a novel." Her voice not hiding her annoyance, and Troy didn't even notice the tone.

"I thought a novel was-" Gabriella cut her off, knowing what he would say.

"No, it isn't. A novel is longer. A novella is shorter. Then comes the novellete."

"There's a novellete? I thought a novella was already short!"

Gabriella practically groaned.

And no matter how he was so clueless on everything, Troy was always lovable.

When they reached the doorstep, Troy let go of Gabriella's free hand, and immediately shoved his hands on his pant pockets. "Well, I'll better get ready now. See you in Santa Fe?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yeah, ok."

He then gave her a kiss on the lips before he stepped back down, smiling and blushing like an idiot. She tried to suppress a laugh at how goofy he was acting.

"Hey Gabs?"

"Yeah?"

Troy locked his gaze with hers, grinning. "Love you."

Gabriella smiled back, like hiding a secret beneath it. "Love you too."

Sharpay scoffed for the millionth time this day, and her limo driver could only glance at his rear view mirror once in a while at the blonde's expression. She was apparently reading the college application with the mix of interest and disgust, which to the driver was finding humour at.

"You've got to be kidding me." She muttered as she slipped all the other stuff back into the envelope. She then snapped her head back, closing her eyes shut with obvious frustration.

This was not her day.

Ryan, who was comfortably seated on the limo's leather couch, couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret on his backlash Sharpay a few weeks ago. He just wasn't so much built for verbal abuse unlike Sharpay. He didn't like fighting with his sister and the blonde boy had to admit that even though his sister treated him like some lap dog, he still loved her dearly. Thinking back on what happened today as well, he knew that he should say, at least, a sorry.

Maybe I should call her when I get to Maryland. He thought and then concluded that he should come over to Santa Fe sometime.

"Gabby," Maria called out from the kitchen when the front door shut, knowing that she was back.

"Yes Mom?" And Gabriella knew that she had skipped breakfast. Going inside, she gave her an apologetic expression and sat down on one of the chairs. Ms. Montez, who was preparing an early lunch for her now, could only sigh but understood her.

"I'm really sorry Mom. I lost track of time," She said nothing but the truth. Ms. Montez turned around and smiled at her daughter. "It's alright honey. I'll just hope that you won't make that a habit in college."

No wonder Gabriella was so nice. She got it from her mom.

She giggled. "I'll try," Gabriella was smart and beautiful, but her mother knew that her Gabriella can be so focused on one thing that she could lose track of time.

"Now, you'd better eat lunch before your stomach's going to get any louder." She then placed a plate of ziti before her.

Gabriella blushed. "It's that obvious huh?" She said before taking a forkful of it and ate the homemade pasta.

Her mother shook her head in mirth and then changed the subject. "So Troy's going to be in Santa Fe right?"

Gabriella nodded, giving her full attention to the baked ziti. It was just so tasty. And the neighbourhood and her friends couldn't agree with her more that her mother was a great cook.

"Well then, I should let you bring a box of brownies. I'm sure that Troy would love to have some, and I thought that he would be here for lunch." Ms. Montez had always liked Troy, and Troy had always loved her brownies back. The only problem she had with him was that Troy had grown a certain habit of climbing their tree to watch Gabriella whenever he came to the Montez house. That had made her uncomfortable a lot for her daughter's privacy, but Gabriella assured her that Troy didn't disturb her at all.

"He's getting ready for Santa Fe and I'm pretty sure that a box wouldn't be enough for Troy, Mom." Gabriella replied, already almost halfway with her baked ziti.

She looked thoughtful. "You're right. Troy does have a really big appetite."

"A really big one."

Another problem with Troy was that he seemed to eat everything like he had a stomach of a black hole, according to Maria. After his first dinner together with the Montez family, Ms. Montez had to remind herself to triple her servings whenever he came over.

Unbeknownst to Maria, Gabriella knew that Chad and his other basketball teammates were just the same with Zeke's food. She could have sworn that they didn't have great food at home, but then again Lucille Bolton, Troy's mother, did make great food as well. There came Gabriella's theory of jocks and delicious food.

And truth to be told though, Troy only ate like a pig when it was Maria's. Or Zeke's. Or his mother's.

Remembering one dinner with him, she looked at her daughter, who was now almost done. "How does he eat like that and stay fit at the same time? I'm actually jealous. If I eat a sandwich right now, I'll bloat the next morning for it."

Gabriella laughed. "You're exaggerating Mom." Maria Montez joined in with the laughter.

When the amusement died down, Maria asked, "So is Taylor going to be with us during the drive?"

She shook her head. "No." With that, Ms. Montez just nodded, understanding.

Gabriella took one last bite before she brought her plate to the sink. She then hugged her mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the lunch."

Ms. Montez pulled away and brushed a stray piece of raven hair away from her daughter's face. Her eyes bored through her almond ones, as if finding something and then smiled excitedly. "I've got a surprise for you Gabby. Follow me," She then grabbed Gabriella by the hand and pulled her toward the garage.

She blinked, not expecting it. Inside she was actually happy, and knowing where they were going, she couldn't feel all giddy inside. But modesty of course, always got the best of her. "Mom, you didn't have to buy me a--" She stopped dead tracked when her mother released her hand.

Ms. Montez gave her usual smile and showed Gabriella her old car. Which was so rundown, she couldn't even tell what kind of car it was. Or possibly, was it really a car? Gabriella slightly opened her mouth in apprehension, not knowing what to say.

She was sure that her mother said a time ago that she used this when her husband--or Gabriella's father--was still alive. If she recalled correctly, it was a two-door 1970 Toyota Celica. Now just without the paint and a passenger seatbelt. And a rear mirror. And backlights. And one side door.

She'll never know how this car got so beaten up as if it went through a tornado.

"So what do you think?" Ms. Montez expectantly said, barely containing her excitement, breaking Gabriella out of her thoughts.

"It's uh, great Mom." Gabriella still probing the car, finding the right words.

"I know that it's a bit rundown, but I want to give this to you before you go. And I already asked Troy yesterday if he could fix it in Santa Fe. He told me he's been good with cars now since his father taught him a few summers back. We'll just bring it there with the movers here in town." Ms. Montez replied. And the math geek couldn't help but soften up when she looked at her mom, so happy and proud. She knew that this meant a lot to her.

"Thanks Mom. It's amazing." After coming over to her and gave her a tight hug, words sincere.

"Your welcome sweetheart, and I'm really going to miss you. It won't be the same around here alone. But I'll know I'll move again for work, and maybe with luck, I'll be in Santa Fe." Maria hugged back as tightly as she could as if Gabriella was going to leave her, which she was going to do soon.

"Mom…" She trailed off.

"I love you so much Gabby, you know that."

"I love you too Mom." This was getting just a bit emotional for the both of them. As they pulled away completely, they couldn't help but chuckle at their state right now. The two almost looked like they were going to cry. Gabriella then looked at the car once more and smiled, knowing that she truly loved the car.

It was already almost lunchtime. And they were now in Santa Fe. What took them longer than expected were the in-between breaks and stops.

Or maybe just the fact that Sharpay took her time in Starbucks ordering a Grande-sized Iced Hazelnut Signature Hot Chocolate.

"We're here Miss Evans." The limo driver said, almost on automatic as if he had rehearsed this many times now.

God, as if I didn't know that! Sharpay thought angrily as she looked through the tinted windows with no interest at all. The blonde diva was dead bored throughout the drive. She had been here often during the previous summers, so she pretty much memorized the place. It was a typical place, just smaller than Albuquerque and looked more like a city meant for summer.

Remembering that and finding the sun--even with the windows--looking as glorious as ever, she reminded herself to take a tan later.

Sensing the limo was stopping, she stood straighter. "Finally." Sharpay was going to have a fit if she'll be in this limo for another five minutes. When her door opened, she didn't immediately get out but instead, found her powder mirror and checked herself, and at the same time, admiring her reflection. The driver, who had been waiting for her to come out, was just a bit too exasperated to even say anything. He had learned to live with this family for years now though.

Finally done, Sharpay got out, carrying the envelope. And the driver, who didn't know he was holding his breath, sighed in relief. He grabbed the travel carrier inside then closed the door and bowed in respect, now going to the trunk to get the luggage.

And he could only look at it in utter shock.

He couldn't believe that those maids could actually carry these things. Either that or they were freakishly strong. No wonder Vance and Derby Evans used one of their many huge limos with even huger trunks. Is there a house inside these bags?

Leaving the driver, Sharpay stood in front of her new place, already knowing what's inside in it, since their parents already bought and moved her new furniture in here. The outside, for the lack of better word, was completely amazing. A two-story house with a flat roof, it was modern and stylish. Cornered with glass panes that overlook a good view of her neighbourhood, there was also a large separate garage house. Sharpay was sure that her Mustang was parked inside. If houses were trends, this was the latest in.

Looking on, she was a bit impressed at her new home. Her attention then averted to her next door neighbour. Only a sign written SOLD was the only thing that caught attention since there was no one practically living in there. Yet.

A cough came to the driver, and she snapped at him with angry eyes. He--who was sweating from all the luggage carrying--could only flinch at her frightening scare.

"Miss Evans, here's the key to the apartment." He then gave it to her free hand and Sharpay just looked at him as if saying that he need to leave her alone. The driver then placed carefully the travel carrier on the ground.

He coughed again. "Have a great day Miss Evans and enjoy your living here." Knowing her that she won't reply, he went back to the limo and sped off. Not a trace of black, Sharpay took in her surroundings. It looked like a rather expensive-looking neighbourhood. Although her apartment stood out the most, her next door was pretty good enough… for someone not her.

Sighing hard, she practically strutted her way to her front door and fumbled with the three identical keys. Now inside, she was greeted with cool surroundings made by the air conditioner, and two maids.

She gazed at them, unmoving. "The luggage is at front." And immediately, they scurried to fetch it. With them gone, Sharpay went upstairs and searched for her bedroom, not even bothering to admire the first floor. Finally finding it, it was almost identical to her bedroom in Albuquerque. Pink. She placed her sunglasses, envelope, and handbag on the nightstand and carefully lied down on the bed, trying hard not to ruin her clothes and hair.

Staring blankly on the ceiling, Sharpay was slightly calming down at her situation.

And then after a few minutes, Boi came trotting in the bedroom, satisfied that he found his owner. Reaching for her, Boi pawed Sharpay's perfectly tanned legs, his tail wagging. Rolling her eyes, she then sat up and grabbed Boi.

"Hey Boi," Sharpay cooed him as she petted him affectionately.

Reflecting throughout everything, a new house and a new start, she thought that maybe her stay here wasn't going to be so bad.

"What do you think of your new home Boi?"

The Yorkie only wagged his tail more and whined a bit, as if telling her to put him down and let him run freely around the bed. And for the first time of the day, Sharpay smiled.

"You ready Gabby?" Maria Montez peeked through the open door, only to find Gabriella carrying her stroller bags with ease. The room was as barren as ever.

"Ready as I'll ever be," With her usual bright smile.

"The movers already went with your car and your furniture. And the brownies are in the car." Ms. Montez said as both went downstairs and opening the door for her daughter.

"Thanks Mom." She said for the umpteenth time of the day when they put her bags inside the trunk. Maria, out of the blue, then kissed her daughter's forehead.

"No problem sweetheart." Then the two went into the car, fastened their seatbelts, and then sped off towards the highway.

Gabriella couldn't wait.

Author's Note: What's up guys. So yeah, this is also probably the first time I've written in this fandom. I'm actually an anime writer and maybe you could actually notice that since I do tend to go for details. Hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter. I'll try to update this as soon as I can. Take care! - Monique -