House That Built Me

January 22, 2012- Los Angeles, California

"Miss Montez, We need you on stage in 5." The stage director, Cindy yelled from behind the door with two loud knocks that caused me to jump.

I didn't answer. I looked into the mirror and stared at the person looking back at me. I had no idea who the person in the mirror was. I remember who she used to be. Little 20 year old girl who moved to Tennessee to follow her dreams. Her parents sold the house that her father built so they could move together. A piece of her heart broke that day. She would never be able to step foot in the house she was raised in located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

All I saw was a lost 28 year old woman who was covered in makeup and a pretty dress. I sighed and took one last look at myself before putting my ear pieces in. I opened the door and was greeted by my body guard Chad. "Hey Gabriella, you look beautiful." He held his arm out.

"Thank you Chad. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Gabi? It took you 2 years to call me Gabriella." I giggled quietly. "I have butterflies."

"You say that every time you go on stage, Gabi." Chad chuckled as we met up with my band.

I kissed Chad's cheek. "Thank you." I waved over my band. "Come here guys." We all huddled up into a circle. "Thank you guys for touring with me around the world and back. You guys are so awesome and I love you guys so much. I think I'm going to cry." I felt the tears brimming in my eyes. "Seriously, I would be no where without you guys. Thank you for going on this crazy ride with me. Let's kick some ass tonight alright?"

We all hollered and they enclosed me in a big group hug. "Miss Montez, now!" Cindy yelled.

"Alright guys you know the set list, let's head out." My band went out and they started playing as the curtains rose. I heard the screams of my fans echoing throughout the building. I bit my lip and looked over at Chad who gave me a thumbs up. The lights went dark again as I walked on stage. I started singing and the lights went on. I looked out into the dark crowd of thousands of people, feeling pumped up again.

June 4, 2012- Albuquerque, New Mexico

I sat in the back of my tour bus for four days now. I hate airplanes, I only use them when necessary. Chad, my body guard, Taylor, My Manager, and Sharpay, My publicist/Stylist came with me. Sharpay, Taylor and I have been best friends for five years now. Chad has only been my body guard for two years, my last one Charlie, was creepy as hell. I decided to go to Albuquerque at the spur of the moment. Chad had to go with me because I pay him to. Taylor went because she is hopelessly in love with my body guard, but he just doesn't know it yet. Sharpay would be bored with us gone so she decided to tag along.

Sharpay groaned as she sat on the bed in the back of the bus. "Are we there yet?" She yelled.

"We should be almost to the hotel." I said, looking at the window. My childhood came rushing back to me. I sighed and sat back down. "It's crazy, I haven't been here in 8 years!" I was kind of excited. I looked over at Taylor who was playing on her iPad. "What is on the agenda for the week?"

"Tomorrow we are going to relax. Wednesday we have a mini concert and a meet and greet at your old high school. Thursday, we are going up to Santa Fe to do a meet and greet at the mall. Friday and Saturday we are free. We are leaving first thing on Sunday morning." Taylor announced. "Is that alright Gabi?"

I nodded. "That's fine. We're going to check in then go to the station right?"

"Correct. Do you have what you're going to wear?" Taylor asked me. "Shar?"

"Yeah, yeah, she has all of her planned day's outfitted and accessorized." Sharpay said. I looked back at her and she was rolling on her back, holding her phone above her face. The phone slipped out of her hand and it hit her in the face. "Ow!" She threw her phone and rubbed her face.

I laughed at her. "Shar…" She turned to look at me and she glared at me.

The bus stopped and Sharpay shot up and ran to the front of the bus. The driver opened the door and Sharpay ran out and threw her hands up. "Thank god!" I rolled my eyes and we walked out of the bus. Chad got a luggage carrier and started piling suitcases on.

"Chad come with me to check in." I said as I walked to the door. He walked behind me as we walked in the doors. "Three rooms, for Gabriella Montez." I lifted up my sunglasses and put my purse on the counter.

The lady took a double take at me before she smiled. "We're going to need your credit card." I handed it to her. I looked at Chad who was looking around the lobby. I looked back at the lady. "Here you go."

"Thank you." I put it back in my wallet.

"You have two rooms with one queen and one room with two queens, correct?" The lady asked. I nodded. "Alright, here you go. Enjoy your stay."

"Thank you." I said once again, taking the keys from the lady. By then Sharpay and Taylor rolled in the luggage. I walked over to the elevator. "I hope we have joining rooms." We piled in the elevator with all the luggage.

"The driver took care of the bus, he's parking it out back and locking it up." Taylor said, moving her bangs out of her face. "Do you have his key?"

"Honey, I have 3 keys to three rooms and I don't know which one is which." I said with a giggle. We got to the 5th floor and I ran down the hallway to find my room. I loved staying in hotels. Each one was so different but it was never home. "I found them!" I yelled. I opened one door and walked in. I saw the joining door and opened it. I walked back out. "This one is a single." I walked over to the next room and opened the door. "This one is the double! It joins." I went to the next room. "This one is another single."

"Alright." Taylor said taking control. "Driver, God what's his name? Arthur. Arthur gets the single room. He is free when we are. Chad gets the other single and us girls get the double. Got it?" Taylor looked at me.

I nodded. "That's fine. Here's they keys." I handed her the keys but took one for the double room. I opened it and kept it open. Chad put my luggage in my room. "Thank you Chad." I walked over to the bed and laid on it.

"No problem Gabi." He said smiling at me. "I'll be right next door. Don't forget."

I nodded and unzipped my suitcase. Sharpay came in and put her stuff down. "Gabs you going to shower first?"

"You can go it's fine." I smiled. I left my suitcase and walked to the window. I sat down on the chair and pulled my knees up to my chest. I looked out across the city.

January 22, 2012- Los Angeles, California.

I stepped off stage and Chad gave me a hug. "Great job Gabi! Great Show." I smiled at him.

"Thank you Chad. Walk me back to my dressing room, I have to get changed for my meet and greet." He nodded and escorted me to my dressing room.

He stood outside and I walked in. I walked over to my hanger and looked through my wardrobe. "Oh my god. It's Gabriella Montez. I'm your biggest fan!" I turned around quickly to see a girl standing in my dressing room.

I screamed and put my hand over my chest. "How'd you get in here?" I asked.

Chad came in and threw the girl over his shoulder and took her out. I closed the door and locked it. I let out the breath I was holding. I stood against the door and waited for my heart rate to go back to normal. I looked around the room to make sure nobody else is in there. I changed quickly, feeling unsafe.

A knock came from the door. "Gabi, are you alright?" I walked over to the door and opened the door for Chad. "You okay?" Chad asked again.

I nodded. "I'm just shaken up. I don't know why people would be cool with you if you snuck in their room and scared the shit out of them."

Chad chuckled. "Are you ready for the meet and greet?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I put my hand on his arm and we walked out of the dressing room. We walked into room and all I heard was screaming. I smiled and waved at everybody who was in the room. I sat down and waved the first girl over.

"Gabriella Montez, I'm your biggest fan. Can I have an autograph?" The girl smiled at me.

"Sure, What's your name?" I asked as she handed me her autograph book.

"Nicole. You are the first one to sign my book. I've been to TONS of concerts but you are the only one I've stuck around to meet." She said, holding her hands together.

"Where are you from Nicole?" I asked her, smiling. I started writing.

"From Palm Springs. We drove all the way out here to see you. I got tickets for my birthday." Nicole explained.

I finished my signature. "Thank you for coming all the way from Palm Springs just to see me. You're so awesome." I smiled at her. "It was so nice to meet you Nicole"

"You too. Thank you so much." I handed her the book back. She smiled before she walked away.

The next girl came up. "Hi." She said shyly. "I was planning on all the things I wanted to say to you but I just blanked right now." She giggled nervously. "I'm Jenna."

I smiled at her. "No need to be nervous. I'm just a girl like you. I think I'm more nervous to meet you and everybody here." I told her with a giggle. "It's great to meet you Jenna. Where are you from?"

"San Diego." She said quietly. "I heard you were from Tennessee."

"I'm originally from Albuquerque. I moved to Tennessee after high school." I signed a picture of myself and handed it to her.

"To Jenna, You are beautiful and amazing. Stay confident, you have nothing to be afraid of. Love Gabriella." She read then let out a sob. "Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed. Thank you Gabriella. Really."

"Aw." I got up and gave her a hug. "No problem. Don't forget what I said alright?"

"I won't, thank you." She said before smiling at me and walking away.

"Hi! Oh my gosh you are so pretty." The next girl said. "I wish I was as pretty as you. I've always wanted curly hair like yours but I got straight hair and blonde hair." She said sighing.

I giggled. "I like your hair, its gorgeous. No spit ends or anything. I'm super jealous. Mine gets tangled all the time. My stylist hates it sometimes. She threatened to chop it off once." I told the girl. I signed a picture and handed it to her. "Thank you so much for coming."

"No, thank you." She said with a smile before walking way.

Half way into it my hand started cramping up. I squeezed my fingers and cracked my knuckles. I let out a yawn and waved the next girl over. I've been up since like 6 in the morning for rehearsals. I was exhausted. I was so glad this was my last day on the road. "I'm sorry." I said giggling. "What's your name?"

"I'm Carly." The girl said who stood in front of me. "You must be exhausted."

I nodded. "I am, I've been up since 6 in the morning. It's been a crazy day. Did you enjoy the concert?" I asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I loved it. It must suck being out on the road. Not sleeping in your own bed. I couldn't imagine." Carly said, sighing.

"It does get hard sometimes but when I meet all of you amazing fans it makes everything so worth it. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you guys." I said honestly. "I do miss home though. Sometimes I look at myself before the show. I still feel like an eighteen year old just singing in shows in high school and in the shower. Not a twenty eight year old. Filling up venues with thousands of screaming fans singing back to me." I smiled. "It's a crazy ride."

She smiled at me. "Thank you for letting me meet you. You are truly an inspiration."

"Here you go Carly. Thank you for coming to meet me." I handed the picture to her and smiled.

We finished up and we walked back to my dressing room to get my things. Chad escorted me down to the car. "You tired?" He asked.

"I was about to fall asleep in the middle of the meet and greet." I said giggled. "I have carpal tunnel in my hand. Seriously." I held it up. "I don't think I can move it." Chad chuckled and we got back to the hotel.

June 6, 2012- Albuquerque, New Mexico

We've been in Albuquerque for two days now. Today we were going to East High, my old High school. I was going to give them a little concert then walk around and see some of my old teachers. I was standing back stage of East High's theatre. I've been back here so many times. Literally nothing has changed about it. I still knew where everything was, even after 10 years.

"Please welcome Gabriella Montez." Principal Matsui said. I couldn't believe he was still there.

I walked out and everybody started screaming. I walked into the middle of the stage and sat on the stool in front of the microphone. "Hey wildcats." I said. Everybody cheered. I giggled. "It's been 10 years since I've been here and it hasn't changed trust me. Thank you guys for letting me come back." I giggled again. "I just want to let you guys know. No matter how much you want to get out of here, a piece of you will always be here. I know a piece of me will forever be in Albuquerque."

I stood up and somebody took my stool. I went through my mini set and I got my stool back. "Again, you guys are so awesome wildcats. Thank you for letting me come back and relive my glory days of high school." I waved at someone who was waving to me. "What team?"

"WILDCATS!" They shouted back at me.

"I missed that, thank you guys. I'll be walking the halls so feel free to come talk to me." I waved to the crowd and blew them kisses. "Thank you Wildcats."

I walked off stage and over to Chad. "Here's your lunch." He handed me a bag of food.

"Thank you Chad I am starving." I smiled at him and we ate. I waited a little longer before I started walking the halls. I walked into Ms. Darbus' drama class. "Hey Ms. Darbus" I said smiling.

"Gabriella Montez!" She walked over to me, giving me a big hug. "One of my favorite students, welcome back."

"Thanks Ms. Darbus." I smiled at her. "So this is your advanced drama class huh?" I asked looking at the student who just looked back at me deer-eyed. "Who wants to play bang?" I smiled as the whole class shot up. "Is that alright ms. Darbus?"

"That's fine. Come on circle up." They did as they were told.

Bang was a fun drama game where we all stand in a circle. When a name was called a person had to drop and the people on either sides had to shoot the other one. The person who gets shot is out. It was one of my favorites. "What's your name?" I asked the girl who stood next to me.

"Megan C." She said smiling. "It's nice to meet you Gabriella."

I smiled back at her. "It's nice to meet you too Megan C." I winked then turned to the boy next to me. "What's your name?"

"Gary." He said. "You're so hot." He said looking at me, then scanned me up and down.

I started laughing. "Oh, Gary.." This was awkward. Ms. Darbus walked around the circle. She started calling out names. Gary… Megan C… Gary… Megan C. I repeated to myself.

"Gary." Ms. Darbus said.

I pointed my finger gun at the girl. "BANG!" I shouted. I won. Score.

Ms. Darbus called names again and the circle got smaller. "Gabriella." I dropped down. Megan C. lost.

"I'm Caleb." The new boy next to me said.

"Caleb got it." I nodded.

Ms. Darbus called Caleb and I lost. I giggled and walked to a chair and sat down. "Hi Gabriella. I can't believe you went to school here, it's crazy." A girl said next to me.

"Believe it. I was in Twinkle Towne… Grease… The famous Twelfth Night that flopped." I said smirking.

The girl winced. "Darbus hates when people bring that up."

I giggled. "Same old Darbus, What's your name?"

"I'm Beth." She said with a smile. "My older sister went to school with you."

I raised my eyebrows. "Really?" I asked.

She nodded. "Kelsi Neilson."

"No way!" I said smiling. "You're Beth? I remember when you were like 6. I went to your house for a project. I was like your new best friend."

She smiled. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you were so cute. How crazy." I smiled at her. "Tell your sister I said hi." I got up. "I've got to go Ms. Darbus, thank you for letting me interrupt your class."

"Anytime Gabriella. Thank you for stopping by." She smiled and waved as I walked out of her classroom.

January 26, 2012- Nashville, Tennessee

I walked into my house and dropped my bags. I sighed. It still smelled like paint. I moved in here a month before I went on tour. Since then I've been painting and I finally made it how I wanted the night before we left to kick off tour here in Nashville. It's been a long year but its nice to be back here, to my new house. I had a month here before I had to fly to LA for an award show. Then it was time for a vacation.

I've had about 3 serious boyfriends since I've moved out here. I broke up with the last one because he couldn't handle my changing lifestyle. He didn't want to be in the spot light but I understood that. It's been years since I've been on a date, let alone be intimate with a man. It was hard to say I was lonely when I was always surrounded by people. But something was missing. I missed having someone there, sharing a bed, stealing kisses and what not.

I was living my dream, I have to compromise something.

A knock on the door disrupted my thoughts. I was in my house for 10 minutes, somebody comes knocking on my door. I let out an annoyed sigh. I opened the door. "Gabi!" My mom wrapped her arms around me. "How's my baby? Why does it still smell like paint? Did you plug in those air fresheners I told you to?"

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "With all the time I have. I just got here 10 minutes ago mom." I closed the door behind me. "I took five steps in my house and spaced out."

"I don't know why you bought this big house." Mom said, looking around. Apparently a two bedroom house was big, I rolled my eyes in thought. "You keep rolling your eyes like that, they're going to roll right out of your head."

I giggled quietly. "I missed you mom." I wrapped my arms back around her.

"I missed you too baby. You look skinny and tired. Living like a true superstar." She said. "I'm going to go grocery shopping for you, you need to make me a list."

"Aye, mom. You know what I like." I said, making my way to my couch. I plopped down on it. "You've known me for 28 years, I haven't changed that much."

"You're still the same smart ass you were when you were 18." She said, smirking at me. "But I love you all the same. Do you need anything else while I'm out?"

"A boyfriend would be nice." I joked.

She broke out into a big smile. "I can make that happen." She started to the door.

"Mom I was kidding!" I yelled after her. She closed the door behind her. I groaned to my self knowing what monster I had unleashed in my mother.