In My Sister's Shadow

An- Ok, so this is the very first chapter. I know that I posted a summary on my other stories for it, but forget everything. I've been inspired to do this story differently. Movies can really change a person's mind. lol Um, I think that's pretty much it, besides that school is starting, so I'm not sure how much I can update. I'm gonna try to pre-write the chapters.

Disclaimer: Still don't own...

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Chapter 1

Seventeen year-old Gabriella Montez sat up in her bed. She looked around and spotted it. The brunette stretched her arms out and pulled the chair over to her beside. Carefully, she lifted herself into the wheel-chair successfully. Gabriella rolled herself over to her window. She stared out at the rain. The steady rhythm brought back memories. Tears came to her eyes as she tought back to the day that changed her life...

Flashback

"I can't be late. I can't miss Jasmin's recital." Gabriella told herself. It was storming outside and she was running late. She'd promised her sister and her family that she'd show up. She wasn't going to break it. Dancing meant as much to Jasmin as singing did to Gabriella. Both sisters supported each other.

The rain began to fall harder. Lightening bolts came down in all directions. "I knew I shouldn't have gone to wrok." A loud, crackling, boom of thunder sounded throughout the night. Gabriella panicked an swerved into a nearby divider. The force was strong and it caused a pain Gabriella couldn't handle. She reched out and held her

All she could remember was hearing her mother's crys and sirens blaring before her world went black.

End Flashback

Gabriella closed her eyes as she remebered that day. Her mind replayed the moment the doctors told her she may never walk again. They'd stressed that there was a chance she'd be able to walk again. The brunette had only lost all feeling in her legs. She'd been in her state for about a year. In the first few months, she'd tried to walk. She tried learning, but it all became too hard. Gabriella's everyday life took a change dramtically. She'd lost an intrest in everything. She spent most of her time in her room. Her family moved schools six times because of the teasing she'd recieved. Deciding she was being selfish, Gabriella made a commitment to this school. Today was the first day, and no matter who teased her, or how many people stared at her, she wasn't going to run away. She was determined to stick it out. She felt guilty for putting her sister Jasmin through all of the moving.

"Gabriella? It's time to get ready for school. Do you need help?" Her mother asked after knocking gently. Gabriella sighed.

"Mother, for the last time, I don't need help." She snapped. No matter how many times she told her mother, she always asked.

"Ok...so will you come see if Jas needs some help?"

"Mother, I need to get myself ready. Jasmin can do it herself. She's 18." Gabriella snapped.

"Well, I know, but she needs to make a good impression." She said sincerly. Gabriella scoffed.

"And I don't." The brunette spat.

"She has been put through a lot because of you." Mrs. Montez left the room after she made her statement.

"Great way to get rid of the guilt mom." She murmered. Gabriella took a deep breath and looked at herself in the full length mirror. "I think I'll wear a skirt today." She wheeled herself into the closet to get ready.

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"Okay sis, you let me know if anyone does anything. Got it?" Gabriella smiled and nodded. Jasmin was taking care of her.

"Besides, I think they'll stop when I 'accidentaly' roll over their foot." She joked. The two sisters laughed.

"I'm serious Gabs. If anyone does anything, you let me know." Gabriella looked up at her sister. Her face showed no signs of joking. This was serious.

"I know. I'll be fine. I promise." Jasmin nodded and pushed Gabriella up the ramp into East High(I know they don't have one, but pretend!). As the doors were opened, Gabriella let a tiny gasp escape her mouth. The school was decorated in the colors red and white. When it came to most spirited school, this one took the cake. Her eyes landed on a banner that read 'Win It Wildcats! Only 7 more days!'. The poster was huge. It stretched across an entire wall. It was clearly the baskeball team. Gabriella only focused on one player. He was the one in the middle. His blue eyes were sparkling. His hair was shaggy, but still appealing in Gabriella's eyes. A smile grew on her face. It was soon replaced with a frown when she realized people were staring.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Jasmin asked cautiously.

"I've faced much worse than this." Jasmin was amazed at how Gabriella kept a smile on her face. She wheeled her sister into the office squated down to her level.

"I've gotta go now, but your peer guide should be here to show you around. I'll talk to you at lunch?" Gabriella just nodded.

"I'll take it from here." A soft voice came from behind the two sisters. "My name's Kelsi."

"Hi, I'm Jasmin Montez."

"I'm her sister, Gabriella." She shook Kelsi's hand as it was stretched out to her.

"Pleased to meet you both. We better get going Gabriella. We have Darbus as a homeroom teacher." Gabriella and Jasmin looked at her confused.

"Is that supposed to be a bad thing?" Gabriella asked, a little afraid of the answer. Kelsi scoffed.

"The lady is off her rocker. She's a little stressed with being late to her class." Gabriella just smiled. Jasmin slipped out of the office while the two were chatting.

"Well, I'm sure she'll soften once she sees my condition." Gabriella joked. Kelsi looked at her funny.

"Condition?" She asked. Gabriella was baffled. She knew Kelsi wasn't blind. How could she have not noticed the chair. "I don't see anything different betweem you and me." She smiled. Gabriella returned it. She got what Kelsi was doing.

"Thanks Kels. I appreciate that."

"No problem. Let's get to homeroom." She took her place behind Gabriella, and wheeled her down the hall. They recieved stares, but Gabriella didn't mind. She acted as if the people didn't bother her. Deep down inside, she knew it did. Kelsi kept things going with a conversation about the school. Cliques were very important at the school. She told Gabriella that no one talked to people outside of their cliques. When Gabriella asked her which one was hers, Kelsi shrugged and said she didn't belong in one. Gabriella just smiled. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

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"You're both late, detention!" A voice boomed the secong Kelsi opened the door. They both entered and saw a blonde haired woman with her back turned to them.

"Excuse me Ms. Darbus," Gabriella started,"I'm new here, and I kinda have a had a hard time getting around."

"No excuses! They give you a ma-"The woman barked. She stopped her little rant when she realized the chair. "Um-That's understanable Miss..." Gabriella smirked at Kelsi, who just shook her head.

"Montez, My name is Gabriella Montez."

"Welcome, um...would you like to say a few things about yourself?" Gabriella nodded.

"My name is Gabriella. You can call me Gabi. Um, as you can see, I'm in a wheel chair." Everyone stared at her. She didn't dare meet any of the gazes.

"Welcome Miss Montez. My apologies, we don't have a handicap desk for you." Ms. Darbus spoke truthfully.

"She can share a desk with me." Kelsi offered. Gabriella smiled up at her. Ms. Darbus nodded and turned back to the board. The new friends made their way and took their places. The day was tedious for Gabriella. Nothing interested had happened at all. There was a lecture on cell phones. She tuned everything out, except Kelsi's side jokes about the teacher. When the last bell rung, Kelsi parted ways with Gabriella. Sighing, Gabriella gathered her books and pushed herself down a pathway of desks. As she was turning, her wheel got stuck between the legs of a desk.

"Not again!" She groaned. Leaning over, Gabriella began to free herself trap.

"Let me help you with that." A mascline voice said from behind her. Gabriella snapped her head back up and her brown eyes met icy blue ones.

"N-No I've got it." She sputtered. Now, getting a closer look at the figure, she immediately recognised him. His shaggy hair fell into his eyes as he stared at her.

"Okay, if you say so." He turned to leave. Gabriella made one more attempt before giving up. This was one of the times that she actually needed someone.

"Wait!" She called,"Maybe...I need a little help."

"Figured you would." He smiked. Gabriella turned a deep shade of red. "So, what's you're name?" He asked, as he began to wheel her out of the classroom.

"G-Gabriella. Gabriella Montez. You're poster boy." She blurted.

"Huh?" Gabriella giggled, she'd forgotten that only Kelsi knew about that joke.

"The boy from the poster." He still seemed confused. "The one with the basketball players?" His mouth formed an 'o'.

"Yeah, I'm Troy Bolton." Gabriella smiled. They were recieving looks again as they continued to head out of the school. "So, are you walking home?" Troy asked.

"Well, I'm not exactly walking anywhere." The brunette replied. Troy mentally cursed himself.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out that way." He was now kneeled in front of her. "That's a nice skirt." It was a black denim skirt with little studs on the pockets. Gabriella looked away, hoping he wouldn't be able to see her blush.

"Thanks" She answered quitetly. "I don't take the bus or anything. I can roll home from here."

"Well, in that case. Which way is it to your house?" Gabriella raised a brow.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I'm not letting you go all by yourself." He flashed her a genuine smile, which she gladly returned. He returned to his postion behind her chair, and began heading to her house.

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An- Okay, so there's the first chapter. More to come. Let me know what you think! Also, let me know if you want trivia or something. The story is just getting started!

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