Every girls life was full of decision making, but for the one and only Gabriella Montez, her life seems to have taken it to another level. It wasn't a matter of what outfit would fit her best or what color matches her skin tone. She had hoped that those questions -that came out of fiction novels- were in her head because it seemed easier to find solutions for those problems as she was one of those girls who did not really care for her appearance. The self-debate that she had were always regarding herself as an individual that most would deemed untrue.
Yet here she was, standing so closely to her wardrobe in search for anything she thought was decent enough to make an acceptable first impression for her last year in East High.
"Come on, it's just the first day of school Gabriella…" She whispered to no one in particular as she frantically went over each hanger, scanning each dress in a hurried fashion when a mint floral dress came to view.
The dress slightly showed a hint of cleavage as it was lowly cut - but not too much to get her scolded at on the first day of school. The garment had fallen just above her knee and it clutched somewhat loosely along her petite flawless figure, yet it was enough to show off seductive curves. It wasn't that she was trying to impress anyone in particular - exclude the blue eyed boy that every girl swooned over because he was practically incomparable to other guys. She has always wanted to feel good in her skin and this dress did her good. It's not too bad to be self-confident once in awhile, especially on the first day of her senior year.
Slinging one strap of the backpack on her shoulder purposely, she gripped the strap nervously and went down the hall towards the staircase. As she went down each carpeted steps, she could faintly hear the sound of the television increase. Her father was watching a basketball game with a newspaper at hand, while drinking his morning coffee - his usual routine. She could hear the sizzling sound of the pan just from the living room, knowing that her mother's morning routine was always cooking a batch of bacon and eggs for her father.
"I'll head out now!" Gabriella shouted just enough so that her mother could hear her say her goodbyes without having to interrupt her cooking.
Jose Montez glanced towards the front door, "Have fun at school princess."
"Don't be out so late." Her mother's voice rang through as she went out the door and to the front porch, seeing a well-known red convertible already parked in front of her house such that it restricted her to walk to her destined destination. When she went in the vehicle, she was greeted with an impatient driver that she has not seen for three months because of the holiday.
"You know Darbus won't be pleased with tardiness, especially on the first day of school." Her best friend's voice called out jokingly as she began driving since she had arrived fifteen minutes ahead of schedule due to first-day jitters.
Gabriella rolled her eyes playfully, "I missed you too, Tay."
"So are you going to finally tell me what happened with you and loverboy over the summer that would make me want to kick him where it hurts?" Taylor asked curiously but somewhat jokingly prior to the brief conversation they had a few days ago after she had just gone back from summer vacation - and partly because being nosy was her nature.
This hit her like a ton of bricks. She felt a pang in her heart. Even without mentioning who it actually was -without a doubt- Gabriella knew who she was referring to. All the bittersweet moments came flooding back into her memory as she recalled the way his fingers gently caress her cheek with such delicacy as if she was fragile because deep down he knew that she really was. She remembered his simple touches that made her addicted and drawn towards his embrace. As cliche as it all might sound in her head, it was the exact replica of a fairytale that was almost perfect. But to be fair, that was before he broke her heart. It slipped her mind that the guy who she had spent the whole summer with attended East High aswell.
She chuckled half-heartedly, "I never thought you would ask that question."
"Then we're on the same page." Taylor concluded as she parked her car in the lot and shut the engine, marking the end of their conversation for now. "Come on, the bell will ring any second now."
He wouldn't label himself as the 'King of East High' but that was what he was. Any girl would beg to be in his presence; as cocky as that sounds, it was an undeniable fact. His ocean-blue orbs and dirty blonde hair was the ideal type for most girls - especially because those traits matched his whole facial feature with such justice. However, even though he could have a different girl every week, he wasn't the type to do one night stands. Regardless of his undoubtable reputation, it was true that Troy Bolton was a real gentleman - inside out. He was somewhat picky when it comes to choosing the right 'companion' and that personality came off as irritating to those bimbos who voluntarily throw themselves at him whenever they have the chance; just so that they could feel superior among the student body, which was not an attractive trait for him. It was undebatable that Troy Bolton - East High's basketball captain - was an addiction to others.
Just like any other, he had an addiction of his own that was not to be taken lightly. The moment he picked up a basketball at the age of three, he was completely intrigued to the point where he would not put it down for hours. The birthday present given from his father - who was East High's basketball coach - started his obsession over the physical activity. His whole sanctuary was decorated based on the sport; that was how bad it was. Maybe she should've rethinked the decision of spending all that money on basketball-themed furnitures and sporty room decors. His mother had gotten used to the fact that the two's idea of a fun Sunday night was just binge watching multiple basketball games with analyzation while eating junk food. However, his father was the basketball coach of the school he was currently attending so it did not matter if he liked the game - he would end up playing it anyway. Good thing he was a natural.
Nonetheless, he had never shared his addiction - not until Gabriella Montez walked into his life and fucked everything up.
From good looks to skill - Troy Bolton had it all. He had never wanted more and wouldn't expect anything less. However, he would gladly sacrifice all that for a girl who he grew fond of during the summer break; and that was what he wanted no one to know. The popular image that he built up effortlessly would have been thrown away like yesterday's garbage since it was somewhat an unwritten rule that a jock should never even engage in a conversation with a 'nerd' unless it involves academic purposes. A rule that he knew was ridiculously unnecessary, but followed anyway due to society's wishes.
Even so, why was he casually leaning against the white painted pillar, unconsciously waiting for a certain brown-eyed brunette to walk through the hallways; towards the main doors?
He has been leaning nonchalantly for about fifteen minutes, anticipating for the figure to step inside the building; he was growing impatient. It was a relief that no one had bothered to ask why he has been standing there for what seemed like eternity.
"...completely irrelevant."
The familiar melody ripped him off his train of thought in an instant. Such melodious tone was accompanied by the petite figure that he longed to touch delicately once more. She walked alongside the Decathlon Captain, acting quite oblivious to his presence; he could sense the fact that she knew he was watching from a suitable distance.
Gabriella knew that she was being watched - rather, observed. She wanted to neglect his presence, yet temptation took over. Coffee browns met with a pair of cyan blues for a brief moment with such love, lust and regret.
Much to his dismay, the short moment was interrupted by the school bell which made her and the rest of the student body alarmed - rushing to their respective classes as swiftly as possible. He was the only one left in the hallway, taking his time as he walked to his homeroom nonchalantly. Of course, he was going to get scolded at.
When he had entered the room, it was no question that every female - exclude the teacher - turned their heads towards him in curiosity of who had interrupted the firstlesson of the day. Everyone but one brunette who kept her eyes glued to a personal notebook; seemed to have been doodling whatever was in her mind with such focus.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Bolton." The sarcastic voice that belonged to the drama teacher called him out as he walked in the class that was already in session.
"It won't happen again ." He said calmly and took the only available seat - upfront.
"As I was saying… your senior year will be filled with such finesse that I am certain you will find very exciting for your fertile young minds. Taylor Mckessie, your class president will assist if you have any other further questions..." She rambled.
Chad Danforth - none other than the co-captain of the basketball team and Troy's best friend - got his attention from behind as he sat down, "dude where were you?"
"Truck broke down again." He lied believably.
Thankfully, he was late enough to the point that the school bell rang just few minutes after his arrival to homeroom.
"I'll see you during practice." Troy said to Chad as the class was dismissed.
He went on with his day without seeing her for the rest of the school day.
