Chapter One
The seniors of East High School stood on stage for the final time as their teacher Ms Darbus annouced what colleges they were going to.
"Not one, not two, but three of our students have been accepted to the Juiliard School of Performing Arts in New York with scholarships" Ms Darbus said with a proud smile "Miss Kelsi Neilsen"
Kelsi's usually shy face flashed read with excitment and shock as she stepped forward
"Mr Ryan Evans"
Ryan stepped forward, he couldn't believe this! He was going to Juiliard! He wouldn't be stuck here, all that saving up he'd done would be worth it
"And Mr Troy Bolton!"
The crowd was cheering loudly, Troy saw his parents faces', they looked surprised but happy, which made Troy more shocked
But he was confused more than anything. He'd decided to go to Berekely in California, which was only thirty two...point seven...miles away from his girlfriend, Gabriella Montez. He could see her every weekend, not just in the holidays. But, wouldn't a career in the arts be more promising than a basketball one? Could they cope being apart for four years so he could have a better job and they'd be able to have a better life together?
Troy looked back at Gabriella, she nodded and mouthed 'Go'
Troy turned back to the crowd and smiled, he was going to Juiliard, but not alone, he had Ryan and Kelsi, Gabriella and Chad were only a phone call away right? His parents too, he'd be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, yeah he'd be ok in New York, he'd be just fine
"This the last box?" Chad asked Troy
"Yep, the last one" Troy said, a smile on his face, but there was a lil sigh in his voice
"You gonna be ok?" His mother, Lucy, said "All the way out there? By yourself?"
"Mom" Troy said with a slight laugh "I'll be living with Ryan and Kelsi, I won't be alone"
"Are you sure...?"
"I'll be fine, don't worry"
Troy gave heart felt goodbyes to everyone, his father, Chad, his grandma, grandpa...the only person left was Gabriella.
"I'll call you as soon as I land" He said, putting his arms around her
Lucy cleared her throat
"After mom" He lowered his voice to a whisper "Before"
"I'll call you when I get back too"
Troy nodded and kissed her "I love you"
"I love you too" She whispered
Troy climbed into his van and waved goodbye, his mom and dad were following in the car to say goodbye at the airport and take his van back home
He, Kelsi and Ryan were getting the Evans' private jet to New York, Mr Evans wouldn't allow them to fly on a usual plane
Everytime Troy checked his mirrors, his mom waved, he waved back then rolled his eyes
They arrived at the airport at one o'clock exactly, both Kelsi and Ryan were already there
"Hey guys" Troy smiled
"Ahh, the Bolton's" Mr Evans beamed "Its so great that our kids are going to college together isn't it?"
"One of yours is"
"Sharpay" Mrs Evans sighed
Sharpay was Ryan's twin sister and the only one who didn't get accepted to the school, she was staying in New Mexico to study
"What?" She said "Its true"
"But you don't need to keep saying it" Ryan sighed
Sharpay ignored Ryan's comment and went up to Troy "I'm gonna miss you Troy" She gave a dramatic sob and hugged him. Ryan stifled a laugh as Troy tapped Sharpay on the back
"I'll miss you too" Troy said
Mr Evans looked at his watch "Come on kids, time to board"
They all hugged goodbye, Lucy wouldn't let go of Troy
"Mom, I have to go ok?"
"Can't you leave tomorrow instead?"
"We start the day after tomorrow, we wanna get there and releax for a while first"
She dabbed her eyes with a tissue "You're right, sorry. Have a good time" She tried to smile
They made their way to the plane, Ryan had a spring in step, almost like he was skipping. Troy and Kelsi grinned at each other
"Get out your camera" She said
Troy pulled his video camera out of his bag and started filming Ryan
"Here, we see the almost-skipping-Juiliardian on his way to his transport to reach its natural habitat of Manhattan. Miss Kelsi Neilsen..." He put the camera on her for a second then put it back on Ryan "...is joining me on this journey to learn about this fasenating creature"
As Troy turned his camera off, Kelsi laughed "Intresting commentry"
"Thanks, thats what I was going for"
Kelsi smiled but knew that Troy was covering how he really felt right now. He was missing Gabriella, she could see it in his eyes, they hadn't even left yet, how would he be in New York?
"Here we are" Ryan smiled, stopping at a gateway "You guys ready?"
"As we'll ever be" Troy said
"Ok" Ryan took a deep breath "New York, here we come!"
Up in the air, Troy sat tapping a tune on his note book with his pen as Kelsi wrote and Ryan danced.
Why wasn't he excited like them? He'd gotten a scholarship to an amazing school! Sure, it was on the otherside of the country but it would give him a huge advantage over other people going for the same job as him, and that huge advantage would also get him a better job, meaning more money for him and Gabriella...Gabriella...
He shook his head to get the thought out of his mind and realised he'd stopped tapping, they were both looking at him
"You ok?" Ryan asked
"Sure, I'm fine, better than ever" He smiled
"Troy" Kelsi sighed "Stop covering it up, its ok, you can be upset about leaving Gabriella. Its understandable, after everything you've been through together"
"If it wasn't for her I'd have never got up on that stage, I wouldn't be friends with you guys, I'd be living in a apartment with Chad, getting ready to go to U of A. I'll admit part of me does want to go back and play basketball but..." He stopped
"But what?" Kelsi said
"...I know that future is less likely"
"Hmmm" Ryan said, sitting beside Kelsi as the seat belt sign came on "So you'd rather play it safe?"
He nodded "Better safe than sorry, as my mom always said"
They felt themselves going down, preparing for landing. They all stuffed the things they'd had out back in their bags
They hit the ground with a thump. Out the window, they could see the River Hudson and the Statue of Liberty
"How far away is the apartment?" Troy asked Ryan
"From here, about a forty five minute drive, from school, ten minute walk"
"Good choice" Kelsi said
"It's actually my parents old one, they went to put it up for sale but when we were up for schloarships, they waited just incase"
"Does that mean all the stuffs still there?" Kelsi wrinkled her nose up at the thought of all Sharpay's pink and fluffy stuff still being there
"No, they've painted my parents and Sharpay's rooms and got new furniture for you guys"
"So whos where?" Troy asked as they took their seat belts off
"You're in my parents room, Kelsi in Sharpay's"
"If I find any pink fluff, I will kill you" Kelsi said
Ryan and Troy laughed at the idea of Kelsi killing anyone
"What?" She frowned
"You?" Ryan said "What would you kill me with? Your piano?"
"Dude, that actually would kill you" Troy said
"You've gave me an idea" She smiled "But enough talking, lets get outta here"