DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything except for the plot.

Gabriella awoke the next morning like she did most days – exhausted. She never seemed to get enough sleep lately and it affected her attitude. Groggily, she changed out of her tank top and pajama shorts and stepped into the shower. In less than 20 minutes, she was ready. This was the thing about Gabriella – she was always punctual. If she had to be somewhere at 8, she would start getting ready at 4, even if it did leave her with plenty of time to spare. But she liked it that way. She hated rushing things.

After deciding on jeans and a flowery top, she put on some make-up. She remembered being a freshman, trying so hard to impress the seniors by putting on gallons of eye-shadow and lipstick. Looking back at old pictures, she would laugh and think that she looked a bit like a prostitute. Now, she opted for a more natural look by just adding some light mascara and a bit of blush and lip-gloss. Some days she would pretty herself up a bit more. But not so much lately. It wasn't as if he noticed.

She sighed loudly. No matter how many times she avoided it, he always seemed to enter her thoughts. She had made a pact that she wouldn't get all dreamy about him, but every time she was in a boring class or her mother was lecturing her about something, he crawled into her mind.

She shook her head strongly to get him out. As if that would help.

For the first time in her high school life, Gabriella wasn't relieved to hear the 2nd bell ring. Normally, she would be jumping for joy at the thought of going to the auditorium to work on a song with Kelsi. But when she recalled yesterday's fight, she really didn't want to face her today. Then again, steering clear of her would just make it worse.

So, Gabriella trudged down the hall towards the theatre. It was free period and everywhere you looked you could see cheerleaders huddling together gossiping or football players walking towards the field, laughing about some nerd's antics. Everyone seemed to belong somewhere. So where did she belong? Was she just the freaky math girl, as Troy used to call her jokingly? Or was she the shy girl who had a pretty voice but no one knew her name?

Sighing loudly, she entered the auditorium. Right when she opened the door, a beautiful melody poured out from inside. Kelsi Nielson was at the piano, playing one of her many masterpieces. Gabriella didn't want to interrupt, so she quietly walked up to the stage and set her books on the floor. But Kelsi heard her anyways, and turned around rapidly.

"Oh, it's just you." The young composer gave her one look and then turned back to her music.

Gabriella frowned. That wasn't much of a greeting. She climbed up the steps to the stage and walked towards the piano.

"Look, Kels. I'm sorry. Really sorry. I got a little bigheaded yesterday and I thought I knew more than you do. It was a stupid thing to do and I hope you'll forgive me." Gabriella crossed her fingers and held her breath.

Kelsi turned towards her and smiled. "Fine. But Gabby Montez, don't you ever say something so ridiculous again! To think that this song could even be played in the key of G makes me want to vomit! That's like an insult to Mozart!"

Gabriella smiled, realizing that Kelsi wasn't really mad at her, just mad at how stupid and un-musical she had sounded. This made her happy. At least one thing in her world was right again.

"So, I'm thinking we should start with this song. I wrote it last night. Ryan inspired me actually."

Gabriella could see right through her friend's attempt to cover her blush.

Kelsi had been in love with Ryan for as long as Gabriella could remember. But Ryan was either too busy with pleasing his sister, or too oblivious to notice. On one hand, Gabriella felt bad for Kelsi. But on the other, she was glad she wasn't the only one who was in love with someone who didn't love her back.

"What's it called?"

"I haven't thought of a title yet. Maybe you can think of one," The young composer handed Gabriella the sheet music and began playing the introduction of the song. Quietly, Gabriella began to sing.

Once in a lifetime
means there's no second chance
so I believe that you and me
should grab it while we can

Make it last forever
and never give it back
It's our turn, and I'm loving where we're at

Although the song was breathtaking, she had to stop. Kelsi stopped playing.

"What's wrong?" she asked her, concerned.

"Isn't this song made for couples only? I mean…it feels weird singing it by myself."

Kelsi nodded. "I know what you mean. But this is only rehearsal. If it makes you feel any better to know, you'll be singing it with Ryan in the real show."

Gabriella looked into her friend's eyes. It must be hard to have to watch the love of your life sing about love with someone else. But, she nodded anyways.

"My throat hurts a bit. I'm gonna go get a drink." With that, Gabriella was off the stage and running towards the bathroom. Her throat didn't hurt. But she didn't want to sing anymore. Simply because every single word reminded her of Troy.

Flashback

"Gabs! Gabrielllllaaa! Are you in there?" Troy nervously knocked on the door of Gabriella's dressing room.

"Troy, I told you! I'm not singing out there, not in front of all those people! You'll just have to get Sharpay to stand in for me."

Troy couldn't believe her words. He had waited for this moment all year. Every since they had begun rehearsing with Kelsi, he couldn't hold in his excitement about this night. This was opening night, the first night of their show. This was the debut of their musical, Romeo and Juliet. And here she was throwing it all away.

"Gabriella Anna Sophia Montez! I have one thing to say to you – I am not singing with Sharpay Evans tonight."

He could hear her giggle slightly but then she stopped abruptly, remembering the seriousness of the situation. He continued.

"We have rehearsed, and sang, and danced, and laughed and had so much fun working on this together. You want all that work to amount to nothing?"

Troy could hear her footsteps stop pacing. He knew she was listening.

"You have an amazing voice Gabriella. More than amazing. You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. And you're so talented! I don't understand how you could ever be worried about what someone else thinks of you because..." He searched for the right words. "…because all that really matters is …what you think of yourself."

He could hear the door unlock and watched it slowly open. She stood there, in her costume and make-up, her eyes slightly watery. He didn't know what else to do but pull her into a hug. He took in her raspberry scent and nestled his nose into her hair.

As soon as he released her, she smiled up at him. Wiping her tears and showing off a smirk, she said, "Let's get this show started."

End of Flashback

Gabriella was lost in her daydream. How precious those moments were, how unfortunate that she had taken them for granted. If he asked her to sing with him now, she would in a heartbeat. But she would probably never sing with him again.

"Hey you! What are you doing here?"

Gabriella looked up, alarmed by the voice.

"You're supposed to be in the auditorium practicing, making my brother look good! Just because you got the lead roll, missy, doesn't mean you get to slack off!"

Sharpay's glittery, hot pink heels clicked sharply on the ground as she walked towards Gabriella.

"What are you doing in the bathroom anyhow?" The blond looked at her suspiciously. "Are you planning some kind of prank Montez?"

Gabriella giggled. For some reason, Sharpay's antics always seemed to amuse her.

"No I was going pee. Isn't that what the bathroom is for…?" She loved teasing her.

"Whatever Montez. We'll see who gets the last laugh." And with that, the pampered blond was out, chuckling out a few squeaks of her high pitched laugh. On her way out, however, her neon pink hair clip slipped out and fell on the floor. Gabriella bent down to pick it up and ran out the bathroom after Sharpay.

"Sharpay wait, you forgot your—"

It was then that she ran straight into a certain brown-haired, blue-eyed boy.

Hey peeps,
See, I told you I would update fast! I hate it when people keep you waiting.
But you know what I hate more? When people don't review! Lol. Anyways, I decided not to update again until I get at least 5 reviews. Not too much to ask for, right?
And yes, the song used was Everyday.

Kisses,
Izzy