Entering the bright red doors of East High, you can see posters of basketball related events everywhere. And there is the occasional poster of the East High basketball star and captain, Troy Bolton. Beside one of those posters on the second floor is a classroom, where a professor is droning on and on in front of the classroom while no one really pays attention. No one, except the petite brunette sitting in the second row, taking occasional notes. Although, she's having some problems paying attention too. Sitting beside her is none other than the infamous Troy Bolton, he appears to be daydreaming, and staring at the irritated brunette.

Oh my god, that's like what, the third time today he's been staring at me? What are the odds? Probably just zoning out. Yeah, that's it, no way is he staring at me. Although those baby blue eyes are so dreamy, like they can see your soul. God, snap out of it, Gabi! Say something!

"Uggh! What are you staring at?"

"Uh? W-What?" Troy stuttered as he pulled out of his daydream. She looks so cute when she's thinking. I wonder what it would be like to run my hands through those locks? And those chocolate brown eyes, and…

"Hello! Anyone there?" Gabi waved her hand in front of his face. He does have a great bode. Must be the basketball practices. Jeez! What are you thinking, girl? He's a jock, arrogant, stupid, and really annoying. But he's a cute jock…

Gabriella shook her head to chase away the voices arguing in her head to focus on the situation in front of her. That wasn't really helpful either, seeing as the person in front of her is also the one in her thoughts.

"Please stop staring at me and pay attention to class" Gabi sighed.

"Oh, okay" He replied, looking a little dazed. How can she not be affected by my charms?

Gabriella was relieved when the bell finally rang signaling it's lunchtime. As the kids bolted out of class, she was one of the firsts to get out and made her way to her locker. A friendly looking African girl leaned against her locker as she neatly put her books back in.

"So…judging by your looks, it was a boring session with the prof, and something happened because you look distracted. So spill!" The girl wasted no time getting to the point.

"He's doing it again, Tay. It's the third time today! And I'm only in 2 classes with him, what are the odds?" Gabi confesses after some thought.

"I really hate to say this, but he might be interested in you."

"That's not a good thing, is it?"

"No, not at all."

"Then what am I supposed to do? He's probably just being his stupid jock self, right? I mean, no jock would be interested in a person like me. Brains and sports just don't mix."

"You got that right girl, but I don't know. Maybe we can consult the others. Sharpay's bound to know something, she's good at reading the signs. She's probably got the latest gossip too. God knows what she does in class other than trading gossip."

"I guess. Come on, let's go. I'm ready" Grabbing her money, Gabi linked her arms with Taylor and walked to the cafeteria.

As the girls reach the cafeteria, they met their friend Stella, Kelsi, and Sharpay. The girls stood in line waiting for their food and caught up with each other of how their morning went. Stella was new to East High, but she got along with the girls really well. She was the atheletic one of the five, she had long straight brown hair, and the tallest of them all too. Since she's the only one on the track team, she keeps the group informed of the gossip in the locker room. Stella attracted a lot of attention from the boys because she's good in sports and good looking. Although she hasn't found anyone that deserves her liking.

Kelsi was the piano prodigy with glasses and a small voice. She writes amazing songs and lyrics, and can sing too. But she said she's going to leave the singing to Gabriella. Then there is Sharpay, she is the drama queen of the group, and she has a talent for acting and singing too. She's starred in 17 musicals since kindergarten. Her and Gabi had a bit of fight over who's better at singing when they first met, but they are best friends now. These five girls (minus Stella) have been together since 6th grade and they stuck together no matter what.

While waiting in line, Taylor quickly informed the other three of what happened this morning with Gabriella.

"Oh my god Gabi!" Exclaimed Sharpay, "He SO loves you!""Shar!" Moaned Gabriella,

"Don't be so dramatic, he does NOT love me!"

"She's right, Shar" Kelsi said "He doesn't lurve her, he's only flirting with her!"
The group except Gabriella giggled at this. Kelsi used to be a little shy, but since junior high, she's opened up a bit and gives the occasional witty comment.

"You guys are going mental, seriously, I don't know why I bother even hanging out with you guys." Gabriella said dramatically.

"Gabi! You know you love us to bits!" Kelsi retorted.

"I know. But seriously, this whole thing is stupid. I mean, he pratically has all the cheerleaders throwing themselves at him, what would he want with me? He can have any girl he wants because he's the star of the school, so why me? Face it, jocks don't mix with us."

"Hey!" Stella called, offended.

"You know I don't mean you, Stel, You're an exception, you're nice, not like the basketball team."

"How do you know the basketball team isn't nice? I know for a fact that Troy is actually a nice guy."

Gabriella snorted and was about to reply when Stella spoke up.

"Speaking of the devil, isn't that him with Caitlin practically drooling over him over there?" Stella pointed out towards a table.

"Yep, Troy must be devastated! No! It's Caitlin! Someone save me!" Sharpay said in her most tragic voice and placed her hand over her forehead, the rest of the girls laughed.

"Umm, Gabi," Taylor started cautiously after the laughing has ceased, "can I ask you something though?"

"Sure, you can ask me anything. It's not like I hide anything from you guys." Gabriella replied with a little uncertainty in her voice, unsure of what Taylor was going to ask.

"Uh, do you like Troy by any chance?" Taylor asked hesitantly.