Title- Angel's Lullaby, Part 1

Author- a2.MI.Pride

Fandom/Pairing- High School Musical/Troyella (Yet again!)

Rating- K+

Summary- Songfic to Richard Marx's "Angel's Lullaby". Since the moment she had met him, she believed that he would protect her, care for her, and love her for the rest of their lives. He was the angel in her nightmare, but when a tragedy occurs, she has to believe that they can both get through. Tragedy and MAJOR Troyella fluff. :D

Disclaimer- As much as I wish I did, I don't own HSM or the characters in it. Peace, chickas and dudes.

Notes- This one was going to be a one-shot, but it works better in parts. This is the first. Thanks also to carito06, Amalta, Dracoisalooker76, and jtaveras for their reviews! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it!

Senior Year

17-year-old Gabriella Montez paused as she strode past an open classroom door. From inside, she heard the familiar crooning tones of her boyfriend's voice. She smiled, hitched up the messenger bag slung around her shoulders, and entered the room.

Troy was sitting in front of one of the computers in the classroom, notebooks and sheaves of paper scattered around him, singing what sounded like a lullaby. Gabriella grinned mischievously and snuck up behind him, then flung her arms around Troy's shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. Her boyfriend jumped and looked around, startled. When he saw Gabriella, he gave her a boyish grin and gave her a kiss back.

"Hey, I thought you went home already," Troy told her.

"No, I had to do something with my calculus teacher. I didn't think you'd still be here working on your essay, though."

He laughed sheepishly. "Nah, couldn't concentrate."

"Hmm…" Gabriella pulled up a chair and sat behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder and reading through the essay that Troy had been typing. "What were you singing just before I came in?" she asked suddenly. "I liked it."

Troy blushed a little and started to close the windows on his computer screen. "It was this song by Richard Marx, 'Angel's Lullaby'. It's an old one I used to listen to when I was a lot younger."

She smiled at the idea that her boyfriend would sing such a song, even when he was on his own. "It's nice," she told him as they got up, Troy stuffing the papers into his backpack. When he was done, he slung his backpack onto his shoulders and wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her out the door. As they walked down the halls, she abruptly turned to him. "Can you sing some of it for me?"

Troy looked at her. "'Angel's Lullaby'? Sure, I guess." As they reached the front doors, he started humming then added the words.

"Know I'm forever near

The one you can always call.

Right now all you know to fear

Are the shadows on your wall.

I'm here close enough

To kiss the tears you cry,

And I will sing my Angel's Lullaby."

Gabriella looked at Troy, feeling a sudden rush of love and affection for him. Even though he had not said so, she could tell by the way he was looking at her with all the love in the world in his eyes that he was singing those words to her. By now, they had reached the sidewalk and were standing underneath an old oak tree. The sky was turning a bright, pinkish orange, signaling dusk.

She stopped walking. Troy turned to her and met her eyes. They gazed at each other for a moment, then Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer by the waist. The two teenagers kissed, softly and sweetly. When they pulled away, she rested her forehead against his shoulder.

"I love you, Troy Bolton."

His arms tightened around her. "I love you too."