Disclaimer - I do not own High School Musical - just any original characters.

Chapter 1 - Goodbye

Graduation Day

Troy stood in his red gown and cap. Watching all his close friends celebrate their graduation. Yet he was faking his happiness for the sake of theirs. He never got a basketball scholarship, Chad did. His grades were too low as he worked on basketball. He thought basketball was his future. So here he was, graduating East high with poor grades and no career aspect in line whereas all his friends had life sorted. Whether it was basketball, performing arts, law, science, or culinary.

When he got home, he was on his phone when he received an email sent to all students.

'Not sure on what to do in the future? Then join the ARMY!' Troy looked at it and scoffed. He was a basketball player, not a soldier… but what if this was his only opportunity he had where grades didn't matter without having to go back to school.

Gabriella, his girlfriend, came over early before the barbeque and they were in his room watching a movie. "So. i was thinking, as you're going to Stanford, i'll still be here so i have a career option" he said smiling

"Oh wow! What is it?" she questioned eagerly. She felt bad that troy didn't get a scholarship or the grades he did and wanted the best for him.

"The army" he grinned like the cheshire cat. "So what do you think!"

Gabriella stayed silent, well more in shock. "Wow" she said slowly.

"Troy-" she started but was cut of by him

"I know what you're going to say that it's dangerous but i think it would be my best option plus i'll be serving my country" he said smiling and saluting into air laughing.

Gabi couldn't help but laugh at his ways. She thought about it a little longer, thinking about the danger of it, the fact that she won't see him, the worry, the things he will have to do or see.

She leaned forward and cupped his hands in hers. "If you want to do this, i can't stop you" she spoke softly.

"I will support you no matter what" she smiled.

He smiled back at her before engulfing her into a hug and a passionate kiss.

That night, his friends were already around as they were having a graduation barbeque.

"Hey can i have your attention?" he shouted. His parents Lucille and Jack, sister Emma and his friends: Gabi, Chad, Zeke, Taylor and Sharpay looked at him.

"So you know… i didn't get into college and have nothing to do unless i retake school. So i'm going to join the Army"

Lucille's jaw dropped. "No way is my baby going into the Army" she demanded before laughing. Jack just rubbed her shoulders before Lucille excused herself and disappeared into the house. Chad and Zeke just looked confused before nodding and bro hugging Troy.

"Don't worry about your mom Troy, she'll understand it's something you want to do" Jack said to his son

"Thanks dad"

"I'm happy you found something Troy" Taylor said hugging him.

"Me too" sharpay joined in.

Gabi sat there smiling at everyone's encouragement but wondered about Lucille and stared at Emma who smiling at her older brother; but it wasn't like her to be this quiet.

Present day

Gabi's Pov

It had been a few months since Troy brought up the fact that he was joining the army. That night he signed up and nobody brought up the subject since. His mom still can't get over the fact that Troy was been serious. The guys had all being supportive of Troy's decision and i suppose they would be. It's like a guy thing plus Chad or Zeke would never sign up so i suppose they respect Troy in that way. Taylor and Sharpay had questioned me whether i was okay with it and i hadn't really gave it much thought - probably because i don't want too.

It was a Tuesday night and i was at Troy's house, it was practically my second home. Troy would leave in exactly a month just a week before i left for Stanford. It was family night and we were all eating pizza when a knock came at the door. Emma jumped up and ran to the door and opened it.

"Hello Sir" Emma said saluting. The middle aged man chuckled before asking to enter. He was dressed in a green suit with loads of medals on the side.

"Is Mr. avaliable" he asked staring at us. Troy jumped up and wiped his hands on his tracksuit bottoms before shaking the man's hand.

"Yes sir, i am Troy Bolton Sir" he said

"Alright young man, we will send a car to pick you up in a month today and your uniform will be delivered within the next week. You will be on a 3 week training course before meeting your squad. Then you will wait to be deployed out. Do you have any questions?" he asked

Troy shook his head "no sir"

"Good, i shall see you in a month" he said.

"Nice meeting you Mr and Mrs Bolton" the man said shaking Lucille and Jack's hand. As he left i smiled at him before looking into the tense room.

"Mom we need to talk about this" Troy said

"No Troy, we don't. And you are not joining the Army either" she said holding in her tears.

"Mom, i am joining. Why cant you just be supportive?" he asked

"Because i want my son to be safe and alive" she cried

"Mom, i promise i'll be fine, i just need to do this" he said smiling before hugging her.

I sat in my room with Taylor and Sharpay. Today was Troy's last day here. Last night we had a 'Going away / good luck' party and it was nice seeing everyone before leaving for college as well. Troy was spending time with Emma this morning before he spends the afternoon with his parents and the evening with me. All yesterday before the party Troy was with Chad and Zeke playing basketball.

"So, how do you feel about becoming an soldiers Girlfriend" Sharpay asked while looking through a magazine.

"Honestly, i'm scared. What happens if Troy is hurt or even killed! I'll be worrying about him all the time and we will hardly see one another. It would have been hard enough doing long distance in the same country but were not! I don't even know where Troy will even be." i blurted about before crying. I guess i had bottled up all my emotions and hid the fact that i was actually dreading Troy leaving.

Taylor and Sharpay looked at one another before hugging me. They were waiting for me to crack and release my emotions and i thought i could hold it better than i did.

"Troy, his tough and he will be fine" Taylor said

"But you can't promise me that, he can't promise me that, he will be deployed somewhere in the middle of a war, how can anyone promise me he won't get hurt" i sobbed

"We can't, but babes, Troy will make sure he comes home because he loves you" Sharpay said.

I managed to form a smile. "We will stay in touch right?" I asked referring to us all going to different colleges.

"Off course! Were best friends and nothing will change that" Taylor grinned

"It's only 3 years!" Sharpay added. "We can see each other every christmas and thanksgiving, we will have to meet on birthdays and don't forget we can skype or facetime all the time" Taylor smiled

I nodded at them before giving them another hug. Everything was going to change and i don't like it.

Later that night, after troy had spent time with his family. I went around to his and we was having a picnic in his room.

"So.. i heard about your conversation with the girls earlier" he said

"Oh" i said not really sure i wanted to bring this conversation up.

"Come on Brie, talk to me" he said putting down his drink.

"I don't know how i'll cope not being with you" i admitted "i knew long distance would be hard but at least we could skype and i don't even think you're allowed to have any communication with me"

Troy let out a long sigh. "I knew we would end up having this conversation" i said looking down.

"I know long distance is hard, and i understand if you want to break up but just know i love you" he said

"Troy no, i don't want to break up, i never meant that. I just meant it's going to be hard not seeing or talking to you" i said looking at him in the eyes.

Troy cupped my face in his hands and kissed my forehead.

"We will make it work, i promise and i'll do everything in my power to come home to you" he smiled. I kissed his lips passionately as we were going to make the most of our last night together.

I woke up the next morning in Troys bed. It wasn't unusual to wake up in his bed as i've slept over on more than one occasion. I turned over and Troy was gone. I looked around before noticing a tall bulky figure, dressed in a camouflage US Army uniform. His hair was shaggy and he had recently shaved making his have his baby face. He looked over at me and smiled.

"Do i look okay?" he questioned

I nodded "very handsome". He came back over towards me and planted a kiss on my lips. I mumbled into the kiss not wanting it to be one of our lasts for a while.

"Last night was amazing" i said as we broke away. He smirked as he grabbed his bag making sure he had packed everything.

After taking a shower and applying makeup. I got dressed into a white skater dress before greeting Lucille, Jack and Emma downstairs. I loved Emma as if she was my own sister and we had a great bond. Not only would i miss Troy, i would miss Emma too. Chad, Zeke, Sharpay and Taylor turned up as well to give Troy a sent off. We all waited in the living room as we heard a car horn echo. Troy come down the stairs in his uniform holding his bag. Lucille was already crying. Troy went outside and put his bag in the car. We all followed him and he said goodbye to Chad, Zeke, Taylor and Sharpay - then his sister, Hugged his dad and then his mom who wouldn't let go. Once Troy broke away we were all almost crying even the guys. Troy walked up to me, hugged me and passionately kissed me. We didn't care that his mom and dad were there either. It was an amazing kiss. One i wished lasted forever.

"I love you" i whispered

"I love you too" he replied

We broke apart and i burst into tears. Taylor, Sharpay, chad and Zeke hugged me and Jack was consoling Lucille as Troy got into the car. He smiled and waved as he drove off. The black car soon became a spot in the distance and before you knew it… he was gone.

AN - Hey! New Story. I hope you guys like it. It's something different and i've checked nothing has been written similar to this so i hope you enjoy it. Many more chapters to come. Please review!

CJ3