Dear God, Please let him be okay. I can't live with out him. I know that's asking a lot but he means to much. Just he means the world to me and I can't let him go. I want him to come home and be safe. I know I said I was okay with him going to Iraq but I'm not. I'm really worried all the time about him and if he's okay. I mean we been going out for 6 and a half years. I love him to death. I just wish he was home for Christmas. Please God let him come home for Christmas. That's all I want for Christmas is for Troy to come home and be in my arms again.Thanks. I prayed looking at the Christmas tree nursing a cup of hot chocolate. I missed him so much. I haven't seen him in a year and I just want him home. I sit there thinking about Troy for a few hours and then I get up to go to bed because I have to teach in the morning and talk to the students about the war in Iraq.

The next morning I wake up to my alarm clock going off. I get up and get ready and then drive to East High where I teach science. I teach for a few hours and then I got to the gym where my eyes automatically start tearing up when I remember all the fun time Troy and I had in here.

"Good afternoon Ladies and Gentelman. I'm Gabriella Montez. I teach science here at East High. I went to East High and had the time of my life. I met the man of my dreams who was the captain of the basketball team. Some of you might have heard of him. Troy Bolton." There was a couple of Gasps. "Yeah it's true. I fell in love with a jock and I was a geeky math girl. I still am. But right after our high school Troy joined the Marines. At that time we were going out for about 3 years. Then last year we got the bad news that Troy had to go to Iraq to fight in the war. He's been there ever since. " I said finally giving up trying to hold back the tears. "I miss him alot. But with every day it gets some what better. I worry about him and I freak out everytime there's a knock on the door thinking that it was the Marine Corps telling me that Troy had been killed." The door to the gym and in came Taylor and Chad. Both teachers here at East High. " I don't know how long Troy will be Iraq and I hope he's home soon cause it kills me not knowing if he's alive or if's he's dead. Not only is Troy my boyfriend, he's my best friend. He's always been there when I needed him." Some one raised their hand. "Yes?"
"How did you too meet?" The girl asked.

"What's your name?"

"Isabella."

"Well Isabella. I'll tell you and everyone else about how Troy and I meet because I will never forget the day I meet Troy. " I closed my eyes remembering. "My mom and I went to this really nice ski resort about I think 7 years ago. We both went to the teen party and we got chosen to sign karakoe. I was really shy. Troy started and was about to walk off when I started singing and then we really got into it. The song ended and we started talking and then when midnight there were fireworks and then we traded numbers and then I went off to find my mom and wish her a happy new year. When school started I started going here but I didn't know that Troy went here and then in homeroom we saw each other and we hung out. We ended trying out for the school musical and got a callback. but the problem was this girl Sharpay, who is now one of my best friends, tried to ruin our relationship. She convinced the drama teacher to change the date of the callbacks so that it was on the same day as the Championship Basketball game and the Scholastic Decathlon. But we all stuck together and we made it in time to do the callback. We ended up getting the part and Troy won the Basketball game and I won the scholastic Decathlon. Troy and I have been going out ever since."

"Ms. Montez do you believe in soul mates?" Isabella asked me.

"I do and I already found mine. I just wish he was home."

"What would you do if he was standing behind you?" Isabella said looking over my shoulder.

"I would probably faint in front of everyone."

"Then I would be right here to catch you." Some one whispered into my ear. I knew that voice. I turned around and threw my arms around him.

"TROY. Your home. Oh my god. I missed you so much." I said crying into his chest.

"I know honey. I missed you too. I love you so much Gabs." Troy said in my hair.

"I love you too. Am I dreaming are you really home?"

"I'm really home baby. I really am."

"I can't believe it. When?"

"Last night. I called Chad and he told me that you were speaking today and I asked him if I could stay over cause I wanted it to be a suprise."

"You guys knew?" I said to the students.They all nodded. " Isabella did he pay you to ask me those question." Isabella turned bright red. " Troy."

"What? I had to do something. Thank you Isabella."

"Your welcome."

"You really are something you know that?" I said facing my boyfriend again.

"I know."

"How long are you home for?"

"A month." Troy said looking me with those bright blue eyes that I love.

"I'm glad your home. When you go back How long do you have to stay there?"

"3 years." He said looking at me.

"Are you serious?" I said looking at him with tears coming down my face.

"Yes. But when I come home after that I'm home for good. I never have to leave you again."

"I wish you didn't have to go back after this." The gym doors open and in came my mom, Troy's parents, Kelsi and Jason, Ryan and Emily (His wife), Sharpay and Zeke. "Troy what's going on?"

"Gabriella Michelle Montez, I love you with all my heart and I want to know..." Troy gets down of one knee and takes out a box and opens it to a simply but expensive diamond ring. "If you would do the honor of becoming my wife? Gabriella will you marry me?"

"Yes. Yes Troy I'll marry you." Troy slipped the ring onto my finger and kissed me. All the kids start clapping and so do our friends. I turn and looked at them. "Did you guys know he was going to do this?"

"Yes. He's had the ring for almost a year." Chad said.

"Really?" I said looking at Troy.

"Yeah, I was going to purpose before I left but I just never got a chance to ask you."

"Where did you hide the ring?"

"Our house. He didn't want to risk you finding it so he asked us to hold on to it." Taylor said coming up to me and hugging me. "Congrats."

"Thanks." We hug everyone else. "Guys sorry. I know you want to stay. But you have to go back to class. So do I. " I said looking at the students. I heard looks of moaning and groaning.

"You heard the lady. Let's move it." Troy said yelling.

"Yes sir." Almost everyone said. I started laughing and everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

"I have to go to class. I'll see you at home." I said to Troy.

"Can't I come and watch you. I never got to watch you teach before. Please." Troy said giving me the puppy dogs eyes.

"Fine. Come on. Bye guys." I said as I grabbed Troy's hand and pulled him out of the gym.

"You know this brings back a lot of memories." Troy said wrapping an arms around my shoulders.

"I know. Right before I walked into the gym my eyes started tearing because I remembered all the good times we had there."

"Honey. I love you." Troy said pressing a kiss to the side of my head.

"I love you too. Welcome my dear to my wonderful class room." I said pulling him through the door. Once we were in there everyone started clapping. "What's this about?" I asked my students.

"You finally have the love of your life back. We're all happy for you Ms. Montez."

"Actually, it's going to be Bolton soon." I said holding up my hand.'

"Congratualtions." All the girls come up and hug me.
"Thanks guys." I said hugging them back.

"Wait, did you say Bolton? Do you mean that your fiancee is Troy Bolton. The basketball superstar?" One of the basketball players asked.

I look over at Troy who was leaning agaisnt my door and smile. "The one and only."

"OH MY GOD. It's so nice to meet you." All boys ran up and shook hands with Troy. I stood there watching him interact with my students.

"It's nice to meet you guys too. But guys I don't play anymore how do you know my name?"
"Honey. Your a living legend at this school. They have your jersey framed and hung up behind the two championship trophies in the trophy case and your picture right next to it."

"I didn't know that."

"They did it about six months ago. In honor of you. Before every game the whole school wishes for your safe return."

"Really?" I nodded my head.

"They all love you Troy. Everyone, even the people at the other school does it. You mean alot to this school and the basketball team."

"Who's the coach?"

"Chad. He's the one who started it."

"I think I might have a little talk with my friend."

"Mr. Bolton would you come and play a game with us after school?" Mark, one of the basketball member asked.

Troy looked at me and I saw in his eyes that he really wanted to do it. "Go ahead. I have decathlon practice after school"

"Thank you. Thank you." Troy said running and picking me up.

Giggling I said "Your welcome."

"Aww you two are so cute. No wonder you guys were voted cutest couple, Prom and Homecoming King and Queen, Most likely to get married." Molly, the smartest girl in the class said.

"How do you know that Molls."

"Old yearbooks. They keep them in the Library."

"Why'd you look at them?"

"Cause my mom went to school with you and I wanted to see what my mom looked like back then and then I saw your guys picture and then at the gym when you said that he was the love of your life it just popped into my head."

"What's your mom's name?" Troy said setting me back down on my feet.

"Britteny Tanner." My eyes widen at the name and I have to sit down.

"Babe you okay." Troy said looking at me worried.

"Oh..My..God.." I said really shocked.

"Gab. Gab. What's wrong." Troy just stood there looking at me. I just stared at him blinking. "Gab what's wrong? Your scaring me."

"That's...That's my sister." I finally manged to say.

"Who's your sister Honey?" Troy said confused.

"Britteny."

"How is she your sister?" Troy said really confused.

"My dad is her dad."

"When did you find this out?"

"Six months ago. You were gone. My dad came and saw me Troy. He told me he had a new wife and a daughter named Britteny Tanner. He lived in Alberqurque the whole time I lived here. I never saw him Troy. I didn't know he was here." I said closed to tears.

"Oh, Honey I'm so sorry I wasn't here."

"It's not your fault. You were serving your country and making me really pround to call you my boyfriend. But now I kinda wish you would have went to college to play ball. Maybe then you would have been a pro ball player."

"I still can honey. Once I'm out I'm going to school and I'm going to play and hope to get recruted."

"Wouldn't you be kinda old."

"Gabriella Montez. I'm only 22. When I get back I'll only be 25 and then I'll be 29 or so when I graduate college. I wouldn't be that old. You know I feel really loved right now." Troy said looking away pouting. I looked at my class and rolled my eyes and mouth ' Drama King' " I saw that."

"Saw what?" I said innocently.

"I know you rolled your eyes and mouthed drama king behind my back."

"How did you know?"

"Gab." Troy pointed to a mirror that showed a perfectly good view of me.

"Opps." I said starting to blush. The class starts laughing. "Hey"

"Sorry!" Everyone said as they stopped laughing.

"Good to know that I have the love and support of my class." Troy looked at my class and rolled his eyes and mouthed Drama Queen. Everyone tried to hold it in but they all started laughing. "Troy Bolton what did you just do?"

"Nothing."

"Okay. Everyone quiet. I know we have a guest but we still have class. Sorry. Everyone take out a sheet of paper and a pencil and copy these notes." I said putting on the overhead. I heard a couple of moans but everyone started taking the notes. Troy came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You work to hard." He whispered in my ear.

"I have to. It's my job." I tought for the rest of the day with Troy sitting at my computer watching me. When the final bell rung Troy gave me a kiss and went to the gym while I waited for my team. Once they got there we got down to practicing and at the end I walked to the gym to see that Troy was still playing with the team. He looked so happy being out there playing. I walked in and sat in the bleachers where I sat just a few years ago watching him play his last high school championship. Troy saw me watching him and he winked. I giggled and Taylor came in and sat next to me.

"He looks really happy to be out there."

"I know. Tay, I really scared."

"Of what honey?"

"He's going back for 3 years Tay. I can't go that long with out hearing from him. I miss him already and he's not even gone yet. You heard me when I was talking early. I really do freak when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. I always think the worst when I go to answer the door."

"Honey, he's going to be fine. I promise. In three years when he comes home you will become Mrs. Gabriella Bolton." I smile at the thought.

"I really can't wait. You want to know what was weird."

"What?"

"Last night I prayed to God to bring home Troy for Christmas. I got my prayer answered Tay. I love him to death and I worry about him every time I know he's out there fighting. When he first leaves I cry myself to sleep for the next week."

"Gabby. He'll be fine. He'll come home to find you waiting for him. And then just think he never has to go back."

"I know I just wish he didn't have to go back at all right now."

"He loves you and wouldn't hurt you or leave you. You mean way to much to him. I heard him and Chad talking last night. He keeps a picture of you in his wallet. The guys in his area make fun of him for it. But do want to know what he says."

"What?"

"He says that he's lucky to have you. And the picture reminds him what he has at home and it also reminds him that he has to stay alive so that he can be with you."

"Does he really say that?"

"Yeah. He does Gabs. He never wants to hurt you. It breaks his heart knowing that he has to leave you for 3 years. He also told Chad that if your heart ever breaks so would his. He also said to Chad that if anything were to happen to him that he wants you to be happy again. He doesn't want you to stop living your life. He wants you to be happy and fall in love again."

"I wouldn't know if I could do that Tay. Troy already has my heart. But I know that if Troy ever died that he would always be in my heart and I would always love him know matter what"

"I know Troy know that. And I know that you will always be in his heart and that he would always love you. Even if you weren't together of if one of you two died." I looked at her with tears in my eyes.

"Did he really say that?" She nodded.

"He really loves you Gabs. He would do anything to be with you." Troy comes over and I hug him.

"What's this about?" Troy said wrapping his arms around me.

"Just for." I said. Not wanting to tell him about what me and Taylor were talking about. "You ready to go home?"

"Yes. Let me just grab my stuff and I'll be ready to go." He goes and gets his stuff and we drive home. Once we get into the house it turns really hot.