Disclaimer: This story is intended for entertainment purposes. No money or sexual favors have been exchanged. Copyright Infringement is in no way intended
The terminal was a dome of confusion. Children ran around chased by parents who appeared to have little interest of retaining custody of the wailing bodies. Bus drivers stood in front of the door causing smoke to invade the lounge of the nonsmoking building. A billboard flipped times noisily adding to the chaotic haze. Attendants at the counter sighed at the wrapping lines in front of them sure to deter their lunch break. The girl sat in a corner small and shivering. Tears streaked down her face, silent sobs racked her shoulders. Her shiny brown hair was pulled in a ponytail, a jacket that was clearly too large for her petite frame bravely protected her against the stations' cool atmosphere. The boy wrapped his arms around her, tucking a strand of hair behind and whispering into her ear. He was well built and floppy haired. His face held a stern expression as if he were determined of their solution. She looked up, her brown eyes searching his blue ones with a small smile. He gave her a peck on the lips and stood motioning to the counter. The two suitcases and duffel bag were scooted beneath her stoop. She nodded her head in understanding and curled her feet up into the chair, as if trying to disappear for a moment.
Troy Bolton glanced back at his girlfriend. She was frightened. He had not been able to console her completely. She had never had such a horrific fight with her mother and his parents had added more hurt. He felt a pang of regret for all that had happened. If she did not love him as much as she did, he thought, perhaps all of this could have been avoided. The only solace he found in the situation was that he could say truthfully that he loved her just as much. Troy was lost until Gabriella had shown up in Albuquerque; his life revolved around basketball, grades, and video games. Gabriella had introduced him to so much more. In the snow she'd brought forth a voice he hadn't even been aware he possessed. He still wasn't sure if the talent was his own or an attempt by his competitive subconscious to keep up with the perfect IQ, incredibly humble, singing, dancing, acting brunette. If they'd never crossed paths it was certain she would have went on to become valedictorian of their high school class, be recruited to an ace school, and then become a rocket scientist with a recording contract and husband. The selfish part of his brain chimed in. He could not live without her it reminded him. Without her living was impossible.
Proceeding to the open teller, Troy removed his identification card projecting that his eighteenth birthday had just passed. Even though he was clearly too young for the woman in the window, he could tell she was flirting when she handed it back to him leaving a finger to linger a little too long on the back of his hand. Troy wiped his hand on his letterman jacket signaling to the clerk he was not interested in her advances. Her eyes bulged a little at the large amount of cash spilling out the worn leather wallet. Troy hurriedly put it away. He knew that if he and Gabriella were going to escape it would have to be with as little of a trail as possible, so when his father had dismissed him from practice and reminded him of his restrictions Troy, without regret, had emptied his college savings account. He only wished he could have seen the look on his father's face when the bank called to notify him of the withdrawal. A slight sense of panic as the clerk peaked over the counter then the screen and back at the teenager. Had the Bolton's already noticed the absence of their only child? Would Maria Montez even notice the silence of her home? How long would it take for the police to send out an alert? Gabriella was still seventeen and therefore a ward of her mother. Troy could not slip and let them get caught. Finally, the woman reached into her drawer, collected his change, and ushered tickets across the counter to him with a brief statement of well wishes. He hurried back to Gabriella grabbing a coke and bag of chips from one of the vending machines lining the wall.
Gabriella looked up with a genuine smile at his approach. Troy took it as a sign that she was beginning to cheer up a little, although her eyes were beginning to show signs of today's struggle; puffy and red. She rubbed them from the irritation. Sitting next to her, he offered her the treats. She accepted. It had been hours since she last ate. He wished he knew the right thing to say. He had been fine with leaving behind Albuquerque as long as it was for her. College would have soon separated him from everything, including her, anyway. This was a way he could keep her indefinitely. Again, Troy felt a feeling of selfishness. Who wasn't selfish for love he reasoned with himself. His parents, basketball team, and even Chad were no prize if Gabriella were not among them. As if she could sense the voices bickering in his mind, Gabriella turned at took his hands.
"Troy, "she began with a slight tremble in her speech, "I love you. We had no choice. Please, don't feel guilty babe. I left with you, because I want you. This is not your fault. How could you have expected our parents' reactions? We are in this together honey."
"Gabiā¦" he started getting cut off with her lips on his. Her hands wrapped in his hair keeping him pressed against her until he sighed.
"You want to be with me, right, Wildcat?"
He nodded.
"Then let's keep going."
"Anywhere?" he asked.
"Everywhere," she responded with another peck and a brilliant smile.
The station came alive again without either having realized it had disappeared. A voice boomed through the speaker announcing departures. Troy grabbed the luggage leaving just enough room for her to slide her hand in his. They boarded the bus together unsure of the future.
