Chapter 1

Troy Bolton parked his black truck outside the Montez residence. Just as he was reaching for the handle to open his door, his cell phone on the passenger seat began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Troy, mom and dad want to know what time you're going to be home tonight," said his little sister on the phone.

"Ummm, I don't know Cas, one?"

Cassie pulled the phone down to her shoulder. There was a moment of silence before she spoke back into the receiver. "Okay, mom said fine, but only because you're a senior and she loves you."

"Thanks Cas, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye Troy"

Troy smiled to himself. It was true he was a senior and tonight he was picking up Gabriella to go to Zeke's end of the year party celebrating the end of high school. Though graduation was still a week a way and this definitely wasn't the last party of the school year, but with the last minute cramming of finals still to come, everyone was ready to relax.

As Troy knocked on Gabriella's door he let out a deep breath and straightened himself up before she opened the door. His dark blue polo accented his blue fading jeans perfectly. He was casual, but still looked as if he took a few extra minutes getting ready tonight.

"Come in!" A voice said faintly from the other side. Troy did as it said and turned the front door open. As he walked in and looked up he smiled when Gabriella walked down the stairs still struggling to put an earring in.

"Hey you," she said greeting him with a light kiss. "I'm almost ready, I just need to grab my purse."

Troy smiled. In the two years that the couple had been dating, Gabriella was never completely ready; there were always one or two things that she still needed to do. He didn't mind at all though, it added to the sweetness he loved so much about her.

"Alright, now I'm ready."

"You, my dear, look beautiful," Troy said kissing her cheek. She had also spent extra time getting ready this evening. She had on a new white top that she bought with Taylor earlier that day, a jean mini skirt and to dress it up just a little bit more, she wore a pair of espadrilles that Sharpay had bought her last year for her birthday. Before leaving she left a note for her mom, saying she'd be home before one.

As the couple drove to Zeke's house they talked about the movie they were going to see the next night, how soon graduation is coming up, and how excited they were about the party. They parked a few houses down, due to the massive amounts that were already in front of Zeke's house. Troy got out first, as usual, and walked around to let Gabriella out. She reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. She smiled at the fact that still, after two years, her heart jumped and her stomach filled with butterflies as she came in contact with Troy.

When they got closer to the house they could hear the loud music seeping through the walls. On the front door there was a sign saying: COME IN. Troy turned the door knob and the two were immediately greeted by everybody.

Taylor managed her way though the crowd of people followed by Chad to greet the newly arrived guests.

"Gabi!" Taylor screamed making her way towards her.

"Taylor!" Gabi said in return.

The two excited girls hugged and talked as if they hadn't seen each other in weeks, when in reality it had only been three hours.

"Hey man," Chad motioned towards Troy.

"What's up Chad?" replied Troy.

"So how's the party so far?" asked Gabriella.

"Awesome. Do you guys want something to drink?" Taylor asked. "FYI, someone spiked the drinks so don't drink too much or don't drink at all." Gabriella put on a sly smile and looked at Taylor. The two girls walked over towards the living room and got a little something to drink. Troy and Chad decided not to, just incase, so instead they went to find Zeke.

The party was loud, crazy, and so much fun the whole time, there was never a dull moment. Troy and Gabriella danced and even snuck in a kiss here and there. The mood was alive and so was everyone else.

Towards the end of the night, while Chad and Troy were sitting a couch talking, Taylor and Gabriella came over and sat on their laps completely worn out.

"How are you baby?" Troy asked kissing her cheek.

"A little buzzed, but I'll be fine," she said leaning on his chest.

"Well," Chad interrupted, "we need to get going." He said looking at Taylor. Taylor looked back at him and stuck out her bottom lip.

"Do we have to?" She whined.

"Mhmm," Chad nodded. "We do, besides the party is dying down anyways."

"Can you carry me?" Taylor asked half asleep.

"Of course."

Taylor and Gabi said their goodbyes half heartily, seeing as that they were both almost passed out. Chad and Troy did the same, saying they'd see each other tomorrow. Chad then, as promised, swept Taylor into his arms and headed towards his car.

"Gabi, we should get going too, its almost 12:30." Troy said stroking her hair.

"Yeah……" She agreed. "Let's go say goodbye to Zeke first." Gabriella reached for Troy's hand and pulled him off the couch. Searching room to room, they were about to give up with they found him cleaning up garbage in the kitchen.

"Hey, you guys heading out?" He asked tying off a garbage bag.

"Yeah," Troy answered. "Do you want us to stay and help clean up?"

"Nah, Sharpay had to run Ryan home, but she'll be back to help later. Thanks anyway though. Did you guys have a good time?"

"Yeah it was great," Gabriella said going over to give Zeke a hug goodbye. "Thank you."

"See you around man." Troy waved goodbye and reached for Gabriella's hand. She leaned into Troy to help stabilize her tired body against his. As they got into the car Gabriella leaned over onto the window and drifted in and out of sleep. When Troy stopped in front of her house, he could hear her slow and steady breathing. He quietly got out and went to carry her into the house. While shifting her weight from the window to him was easy, he found it difficult to wake up something so beautiful from its sleep. Her arms willingly wrapped around his neck as she nestled into his chest.

"Gabi," he whispered.

"Hmmm?"

"Where's your house key?"

"Under the mail box hatch." Sure enough Troy looked under the hatch next to the door and found the spare key he was looking for. He slowly opened the door and found Mrs. Montez in the living room asleep with a book on her chest. She woke up with the opening of the door.

"Hi Troy," she said softly.

"Hey, I'm just going to take her upstairs, she fell asleep in the car." Troy whispered.

Mrs. Montez smiled and nodded and walked into the kitchen to get the light. Troy walked up the stairs into Gabriella's room and laid her on her bed. She settled in and let out a sigh. He slowly turned around and walked towards the door.

"Troy?"

"Yeah?" he whispered. He walked quietly back over to her side and held her hand. With her eyes still closed she rolled her head in Troy's direction.

"I love you."

"I love you too," replied Troy. He smile and bent down to kiss her goodnight.

'This was how things were supposed to be' Troy thought to himself.

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