Author's Note: So I don't exactly know if people like this story, because only one person has reviewed it, but I'm going to post this chapter anyway, because I've already written it, and it seems a waste to not do anything with it. Oh, and the thing about music while running is totally true, and I really do listen to Kanye, Katy Perry, and Maroon 5 when I go running/to the gym. So fun tidbit for you. Please review! This chapter is dedicated to theupdaters, specifically stripedpolkadots for her absolutely wonderful review. Thank you! I always reply to my reviews, so please please review! Thanks!

Summary: When Gabriella Montez moves to Albuquerque because of her mother's sabbatical, she has no idea what is in store for her. Who is Troy A. Bolton, and why does Gabi feel like she's known him for all eternity, even though she's definitely never met him before? Is history bound to repeat itself as it is apt to do, or is something different this time? A Troyella, Zekepay, Chaylor, and Jelsi story. An HSM fan fic based on Avalon High.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

East Avalon High

Chapter 2

Raft; Albuquerque, Nm; 4:23 pm

So we finally arrived in Albuquerque about a week ago. I've been so busy that I haven't had any time to write, unfortunately, so I guess I have a lot to catch up on. Even though I fully know I won't actually fill in all that much missing information. But its the thought that counts, right? Or does that only count for presents. Hm... I'll have to ponder that.

I'll admit, I'm quite fond of this house. My mom let me choice my room first, and I as soon as I walked into my room, I knew that it was the one for me. It 's painted this soft purple and has this amazing deck by a huge tree. I think technically it's the master bedroom, but I don't really care that much. And its not as though my mother needs a large room as she's going to be spending all of her time in her study. It even has a futon in it so she really doesn't have to leave. I actually find it quite comical, but nobody asked me, so whatever.

Anyway, one this I've discovered is that pools actually take a lot of care. You have to clean the filters every morning, because all kinds of things go into the water. And all of them die. It's actually really sad and kind of disgusting, but considering all the chemicals we have to put in the water so that we can swim in it and not like, get sick or anything, it isn't too surprising.

So every morning I go and clean out the filters, and remove what ever animals have become lodged in them, and then test the water to make sure everything is at safe levels.

And of course, being the nerd I am, I loved the chemistry behind the water testing. And I guess you only have to do it once a week, but I love it so much, I tend to do it a couple of times a day. I love the color the water gets whenever everything is perfectly balanced.

I swear, I am such a nerd.

But I have to say, even more than the pool, which was my mother's selling point on this house for me, I love my balcony even more.

And because of this I've developed a bit of a routine for myself. I'll record a typical day below.

9:00: Wake up

9:01: Get up, perform morning ablutions.

9:10: Go out and clean pool filters

9:22 Test pool water

9:25 Take shower, and get dressed (IE get ready to go swimming)

9:40: Grab book, this journal, and some form of nourishment

9:43: Check pool raft

9:44: Get in water.

9:45: Float on raft while reading, or doing any other matter of tranquil activity.

12:30 Get called in for lunch by mother

12:35 Get out pool

12:37 Eat lunch

1:00: Get back in pool

1:01: Float on raft while reading, or doing any other matter of tranquil activity.

5:30: Get called into get ready for dinner

6:00: Eat dinner

6:30 Go upstairs to bedroom

6:31 Go onto balcony and get comfortable on bench or chair.

6:32 Sit on chair while reading, or doing any other matter of tranquil activity.

9:15: Get snack

9:17: Sit on chair while reading, or doing any other matter of tranquil activity.

11:00 Get ready for bed

11:30 Get in bed

11:57: Go to sleep

Lovely routine, is it? I think so too. However, my mother does not seem to think so. She's gotten all in my face about "getting out and doing things." She even went so far as to offer to take me to the mall. I balked when she told me that one. As if my person was not enough to make me dorky enough, going to the mall with my mother would completely ruin my "golden opportunity."

Although, come to think of it, if I am going to take advantage of this "golden opportunity," then I really ought to get out, if not to meet people, at least to get my face out there, so that I'm not this totally random junior girl with no friends when school starts. And okay, its not as thought I'm going to make friends specifically, but at least I won't be a strange face. Such that people won't think I'm some freshman or something. Because not only would that be awkward, it would been really embarrassing, especially since it is totally unnecessary. So I guess I need to figure out something to do. I let you know.

Love,

GEM

Raft; Albuquerque, NM; 4:57 pm

I could get a job.

No, its too late in the summer.

Damn. Extra money would've been nice too...

Love,

GEM

Raft, Albuquerque, NM; 5:00 pm

I could go to the library...

...Yeah, and be marked as a nerd before school even starts.

Good plan, Gabriella.

Love,

GEM

Raft, Albuquerque, NM; 5:04 pm

Go to the mall, sans mother?

No, because then I'd be the friendless loser with too many clothes and an empty bank account.

The movies?

Right, because its so fun to go to the movies by yourself.

Why is this so hard?

Love,

GEM

Raft, Albuquerque, NM; 5:09 pm

I've got it!! I'll go running everyday. I haven't gone running since before we moved, and it will get be back in shape, and its a great way to spread my face around the neighborhood.

Did that sound as superficial to you as it did to me?

Damn, that's what I thought...

Anyway, the point is I need to start running again. Especially if I wanted to try out for the track team once school starts.

I think I'm going to go look up parks around here before dinner.

Wow, I'm breaking my routine. Things really must be changing...

Not.

Love,

GEM

Balcony; Albuquerque, NM; 5:44 pm

Well today was acutely interesting.

I found a park to go running in. It is absolutely gorgeous, and I am completely in love with it. It's in the richer area of town, so it is very fancy. There are tennis courts, basketball courts, a baseball diamond, a softball field, this amazing playground with three different sections, each with a different theme and play structures, not to mention the dog parks, and yes there are two because there is one for small dogs and one for large dogs. But what I love most about the park is that a trail runs through the park. Part of this trail runs through an arboretum, which will offer some shade for part of the run. This trail is exactly a mile long, which, I can already tell, is going to be very good for pacing. After printing directions from Map Quest, I went into my mother's office to let her know that I was leaving. I found her hunched over an old rusty sword, and rolled my eyes before telling her that I was borrowing the car and going for a run.

She looked up from the artifact in front of her, "You're going running with my car?" she asked me, completely bemused.

I rolled my eyes. "No, but there's this park about two miles away that has an really nice running path that I wanted to check out. I'll make sure that I'm home by 5:30 to get ready for dinner. I would say you could give me a call if you needed anything, but seeing as you won't let me get a cellphone..."

My mother was unfazed by the comment, and went back to investigate the decrepit piece of metal in front of her. "Have fun honey," she replied distantly, waving me off with her hand, as she focused her attention back on the sword. Sensing that I would not be getting anything out of her at that point I said goodbye, grabbed the car keys, and left for the park.

I plugged my iPod shuffle into the auxiliary dock to amp myself up for this run as I drove to the park. I always listen to music when I'm running unless its during meets when its not allowed. I need a specific type of music when I am running. Rap works well. As does hip hop and rock. As long as it's loud, with big beats and a strong bass, I'm down with it. (Did I seriously just write that?) Lately I've been listening to a lot of Kanye West while I run. It used to be more Eminem, but his lyrics started really bothering me, because he was (and is) such a misogynist, that I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I've also grown very fond of listening to Katy Perry and Maroon 5.

When I got to the park, I did a few stretches, attached my shuffle to my shorts, put in my headphones and started running. And it felt amazing. At first my muscles were a little tight , but as I kept on running they loosened up, and I could feel my blood pumping through my veins.

Now I know most people hate running, but I love it, mostly because the adrenaline that is released is so rejuvenating. Running has the same affect as going to a spa has for most other people. Perhaps the adrenaline is a drug to which I have become addicted. I don't really know, but the point is, I was running and I felt free for the first time since we'd moved here.

By the time I got to the wooded area of the path, I was coated in sweat, and the feel of the sweat cooling against my skin was refreshing. The woods were so think around the edge of the path that all the sounds of the park and the highway that was adjacent to it were silenced. The woods and bramble were so thick that I doubted you could get through them without a machete.

It was, I realized as I was running through it, a great place for various creepy people to hide out with out being worried about being found.

And I've seen too many bad movies to picture the scene perfectly.

The heroine is out for a morning jog. The camera pans her body, mostly to fulfill their "quota." (and you know what kind of quota I'm talking about, so I don't think I need to elaborate.)

The camera then scans the path, focusing momentarily on the innocent elderly women power walking with their dogs.

Our heroine runs past them, until she is alone in the woods.

Innocently, she keeps on running, completely oblivious until a man jumps out of the bushes and tackles her. Her screams go unheard, and thus the drama of the story begins.

Obviously, this freaked me out, so I started getting very weary and look out around me. There was a ravine below me, but I took little notice of it, too focused on look through the underbrush.

Calming myself down, I noted that my legs were strong enough that I could kick my assailant and cause a good amount of damage.

It was as I was reassuring myself of this fact that I saw him.

Love,

GEM

Sorry for the cliffy! Who do you think it is? Please review!