The Montez' didn't usually talk during meals.

It was this unspoken rule that existed harmoniously between the family. This was probably due to the rules being the absolute essence of the Montez' – it made them run accordingly. You see, it was like a pocket watch without any hands or Paris Hilton with elegance and class; they simply wouldn't agree with one another. The same applied to the Montez clan, without rules, their perfect framework wouldn't hold them all together and like a fragile mirror, they'd be shattered on the floor in a million separate pieces. Of course, they didn't always spend their meals in silence, as it is already mentioned, they didn't usually talk during dinner. But, it wasn't completely odd if there was a small conversation thrown into the mix. They weren't particularly interesting, often about their days and the information given was always brief.

But whenever they did spend their dinner times in silence with this unspoken rule in practice, there were other rules to consider; each one more ridiculous than the last. One must speak with etiquette. One must always be presentable. One must think of what is best for the family's reputation. One must never speak without being spoken to, breathe without being told to or indicate that you are alive without permission. Gabriella Montez, the only child, brought the spoon of hot, soupe de champignons, or mushroom soup, (it always sounded much fancier in the French language you see) to her mouth robotically. Dip in the soup (properly), bring it to your mouth (subtly), eat it (quietly). Dip in the soup, bring it to your mouth, eat it. Dip, bring, eat. Dip, bring, eat.

But it wasn't simply mealtimes that had an order. Every aspect of Gabriella's life had a schedule, whether that be in her mornings, her school days or in her leisure time -if you could call it leisure time. Gabriella's extra-curriculum activities were carefully chosen by her parents. Monday: Ballet. Tuesday: String Orchestra. Wednesday: Chapel Choir. Thursday: Extra credit work. Friday: Piano. Saturday: Studying group. Sunday: Church. Everything in Gabriella's life was a schedule; Gabriella's life was a schedule. It was a strict timetable that Gabriella had followed since the day she was born. Before she had been out of her mother's womb, there had been times for every movement and she had been brought up the very same way. Even every breath was pencilled in.

Of course, Gabriella had friends; granted there weren't many but that didn't mean she was completely alone. There was Taylor McKessie to begin with. Taylor was Gabriella's closest friend with the pair having known each other for many years throughout middle and high school. Taylor was similar to Gabriella in lots of ways. They were both committed to their work. They had a series of extra-curriculum activities and parents that maintained an ordered lifestyle. If anything, Taylor was Gabriella's rock. Granted, Taylor lived life like a schedule too but that was Taylor's choice rather than her parents and she understood that Gabriella's life wasn't the wonderful, rich, happy world that others believed and saw it to be.

Then, there was Martha Cox and Kelsi Nielson. They both went to the same Church on every Sunday and they had also gone to Sunday school. They weren't exactly close. Gabriella found it easier to talk to Martha for the simple fact that Martha was incredibly confident; the conversation flowed much better than Gabriella's conversation's with Kelsi. Kelsi was sweet and shy but Gabriella was too. It was difficult to begin a conversation when you knew it wouldn't continue after a timid 'yes' as an answer. Therefore, Kelsi and Gabriella knew each other and were more acquaintances than friends. Gabriella often wished she had the confidence of Martha's or Taylor's to talk to people the way they did but then the thought of her parents would pop into her mind. They were very particular with the people Gabriella spent time with.

"May I be excused?"

"You haven't finished your meal."

"I've still got unfinished homework."

"Well, in that case, you may be excused, Gabriella."

"Thank you."

And that would be the last time Gabriella would speak to her parents for that evening. Their housekeeper, Louisa, would often enter Gabriella's room and wish her a good night adding that her parents were sending the same message but Gabriella had come to the conclusion that her parents never sent any message of that kind. Louisa didn't want Gabriella to feel unloved and it had become a routine (another one, that is). Other than that, Gabriella would remain in her room with few options. Homework was the main priority and studying came second. It was a wonder Gabriella hadn't skipped a grade with the amount of extra-credit work that she did! But, like her parents had taught her, she could always do better.

Like usual, the Montez' continued to hardly talk during mealtimes. They stuck to their rules -still as ridiculous as the last- and still kept their conversations as brief as they possibly could, for they had a reputation to uphold and they couldn't ruin it. Without a schedule, where would they be? And so, Gabriella went on her days and weeks and months in a very similar way. Sticking to her schedule with sheer precision and dedication. For that was the only way she knew how to live.

Little did Gabriella know, that her life would veer off in a very different and wild direction.

It was only a short while until she got her chance at happiness.

girlwithbrowneyes:

Hello, I hope I sparked some interest with this prologue. I'm really excited since this is my first fanfiction story!

If you wish for another, please leave a review and tell me what you think about this and I'll be back with another. Thanks for reading!

Hugs and Kisses,

Olivia

Disclaimer: I do not have any affiliation with the Disney/HSM franchise nor do I own any of the recognised characters; only the plot and my imagination.