AN: Takes place after "Everyday" in High School Musical 2.
From on top of the hill, he could see everything. The bright lights coming from the lanterns on the round tables illuminated the entire setting. Most of the guests had left the round tables to dance along to the live band. He saw Chad lead Taylor into his own version of a ballroom waltz. Next to them, his parents were swaying to the melody. The Wildcats were nearby, still celebrating Ryan's Star Dazzle win.
Troy Bolton shoved his hands in his pockets, smiling at the sight below. A breeze washed over him, tugging at his clothes. The wind had picked up slightly since their performance.
Next to him sat Gabriella Montez. Her legs were pulled up to her chest, her arms hugging them. She shivered in the breeze, her white dress only shielding a small portion of her body from the cold.
Her shiver didn't go unnoticed by Troy. He gallantly took off his suit jacket and placed it over her shoulders. He then took a seat next to her on the grass.
"This is nice," she murmured.
"Yeah." He glanced at her, noticing the way her dark locks danced about in the wind. She had let her hair down from its messy bun.
Troy wanted to run his fingers through her hair, but restrained from it. He felt shy around her, as if he didn't really know her.
This was a ridiculous thought. They had been romantically linked ever since the Twinkle Town musical. Of course he knew her.
But that had been two days ago, before she had broken up with him.
He hated this feeling. The awkwardness between them was suffocating him. He wanted to say something, to do something. But he wasn't sure what to do.
He longed for her to say something, to take the first step in establishing where they stood. He had thought that they were good, seeing as during their performance, she had smiled and danced with him. But immediately afterward, she had pulled away, becoming more and more distant.
Which led them to here and now.
"Troy."
He turned, looking into her brown eyes shaped like almonds.
"Yes?" he breathed.
She chewed on her bottom lip. He noticed the way her tongue darted out to lick her lips.
"The other night . . . when I . . . when we . . ."
A heavy silence finished the rest of her sentence.
"What about it?" he asked.
She met his eyes, noting how intense the blue had gotten. "I meant what I said. About you becoming a different person . . . and how I needed a break."
"I know you did," he said softly.
"I still mean what I said. Except . . ."
"Except?"
"I love you, Troy."
Troy took in her words. For a moment, only the sounds of chirping crickets and distant laughter could be heard.
They had never said those three words to each other. Troy knew that he felt them, though.
"I love you, too." He reached out and palmed her left cheek. He felt her relax under his touch, her eyes fluttering close. He brushed his thumb against her skin, desperately wanting to kiss her.
"Gabriella, I'm so sorry. You were right. I was becoming someone different. And as much as I would like to take back everything that I've done these past couple of days, I can't. I just hope that you can forgive me."
He waited anxiously for her to respond. They were so close now, their foreheads touching, his hand still on her cheek.
"Troy . . ."
He held his breath.
"Kiss me."
He smiled, capturing her lips with his. He took his time, savoring the taste of them. It was a brilliant dance.
When he was done, he pulled away. Her eyes were still closed, her lips slightly parted.
Troy held her close to him, his arms around her petite body. He had never felt more content than now, in this moment. True, he still didn't know what he was going to do after high school. But that didn't matter so much anymore.
Just having her with him, in his arms, was enough for him.