Summary-"Bye, Gabriella." "Bye," I say before entering my house and letting out a deep sigh. Bye. Just a simple word. No hug, no kiss, just 'bye'. Not like I expected anything more. He never gives anything more.

Seventeen-year-old high school senior, Gabriella Montez, walked through the door of her school, East High. She was wearing a pair of medium-wash skinny jeans, a tunic style top with a pink and dark gold pattern on it, and white ballet flats. Her long, dark, curly hair was left down. Usually she just settled for a cami with a colorful jacket on top of it, fitted sweat pants, Converses, and a ponytail, but this day was different. It was Valentine's Day. Not only that, but it was also the one year dating anniversary of her and her boyfriend, Troy Bolton. Troy was the captain of the school's basketball team, the Wildcats. Gabriella, who was shy, quiet, and a member of the school's Decathlon team, always wondered how she ended up with him.

"Hey, Gabriella!" a blonde girl greeted. It was Sharpay Evans, one of Gabriella's best friends. She had on a pink dress that came to her knees and red wedge-heeled shoes. In her hair, which was neatly curled and put up in a high ponytail, she had a red rose clip. Unlike Gabriella, Sharpay wore something dressy every day-even weekends.

"Hey, Sharpay!" Gabriella returned, walking up to her friend.

"Wow! Cute outfit today!" Sharpay complimented, noticing Gabriella wasn't wearing her usual things. "I'm guessing you want to look extra nice for your first anniversary!"

Gabriella nodded, smiling. Then, at that moment, she felt someone come up behind her and give her a hug. She turned around to see a boy with the most handsome blue eyes and slightly messy light brown hair. It was Troy. "Troy!" Gabriella exclaimed, quickly wrapping her arms around her boyfriend.

"You look really nice today," Troy commented. "What's up?"

The smile on Gabriella's face faded. "You mean.......you don't know what day it is today?"

"The fourteenth, right?" Troy guessed. "And I think there's some minor holiday today, too. I don't know. Anyway, I gotta get to the gym. I'm meeting Chad there." Chad Danforth, who was the second most important member of the Wildcats, was Troy's best friend.

"But, Troy...." Gabriella began.

"I'm sorry. Have to go. See you later, baby." Troy then quickly kissed Gabriella's cheek, then ran off in the direction of the gym.

Gabriella turned back to Sharpay. "He......he didn't even remember what day it was today."

"Don't worry, Gabs. You know, sometimes guys pretend to forget so they can surprise their girlfriends with a really special date," Sharpay told Gabriella.

"I don't know......it's not like Troy to not even say 'Happy Valentine's Day' or, more importantly, 'Happy anniversary.'"

"Did you get him a present?"

Gabriella nodded. "I got him a picture of us on our first date-which I put in a picture frame-then along with that, a new basketball. He's been complaining that the one he has now is getting all worn out."

"Well if he doesn't remember what today is after you went through all the trouble of getting him gifts, then he's the worst boyfriend ever."

"Hi, Gabriella, Sharpay," came a girl's voice.

Gabriella and Sharpay both looked in the direction of the sound and saw their friend, Taylor McKessie, rushing up to them.

Oh good, Taylor's here, Gabriella thought. Maybe she has some advice on what to do. After all, she's been dating longer than Sharpay and I. Taylor had been dating Chad since sophomore year of high school. Gabriella had only had Troy since the previous year, and Sharpay had been with her boyfriend, Zeke Baylor, for just three weeks.

"Gabriella, what's wrong?" Taylor wondered, noticing her friend looked upset about something.

"Troy forgot it was our one year anniversary-and Valentine's Day-today."

"Oh, don't worry. Chad has forgotten every single holiday there is. New Year's, my birthday, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, our anniversary....even his own birthday."

"How did he forget his own birthday?" Sharpay questioned.

"Shar, this is Chad we're talking about here," Taylor reminded her friend. "And we all know his brain doesn't have anything in it besides basketball facts."

"But Troy....." Gabriella began. "He's always so sweet. He does something special for me every holiday. Maybe....."

"Maybe what?" Taylor urged.

"Maybe he......maybe he doesn't like me anymore......."

"Gabriella!" Troy called as he caught sight of his girlfriend. School had just let out two minutes ago, and all the students were putting things they didn't need to bring home with them in their lockers. Well, all of them except for Troy.

Gabriella pretended not to hear Troy's voice. After him not remembering the two events of the day, she definitely did NOT want to talk to him.

"Gabriella!" Troy tried again.

No response.

Troy, determined to get Gabriella's attention, ran up behind her and gave her a hug. "Hey, it's me. Didn't you hear me calling your name?"

Gabriella wriggled out of Troy's grasp, then closed her locker and began walking toward the doors of East High.

"Where are you going? Did you still want me to give you a ride home today?" Troy wondered anxiously. Usually, since Gabriella didn't have a car, Troy would drive her home from school in his pick-up truck.

Gabriella left the building and got on the bus that stopped at her neighborhood. She would ride that home. See? She didn't need her boyfriend to help her. Who would need a jerk like him for help anyway?

Gabriella was in her room doing homework. However, she couldn't concentrate on it at all. The only thing she could think about was Troy and what he had done to her.

We're all in this together,And we know-

Gabriella picked up her ringing cell phone, and, seeing it was Taylor who was calling, answered it. "Hey, Tay. What's up?"

"Just seeing if Troy ever got around to remembering Valentine's Day and/or your anniversary," Taylor replied.

"No, he didn't," sighed Gabriella.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, so am I. Troy was so sweet, so kind, so considerate....and now he's turning into a second Chad. Oh, speaking of Chad, did he remember it was Valentine's Day today?"

"Well he was close. He knew it was a holiday. Only he thought it was my birthday. And he bought me a bouquet of half-dead roses."

"Well it's the thought that counts. I think you're lucky. Troy didn't even have a thought."

"I don't know what to say. I guess you could call him and try to talk about it."

"I'm scared to." Gabriella had been extremely shy with Troy when they first started dating, and now, though most of the shyness had left, she was still careful not to do anything that would anger him. Sure, she would speak her mind, but she was always careful with what words she chose to use. Then, if he disagreed with her-no matter how gently-she would immediately apologize and become a bit embarrassed.

"Why? He's your boyfriend. You've known him for a long time."

"What if he gets mad at me? I don't want him mad at me."

"Well you're already mad at him. What's the difference?"

"I really, really like him. I don't want us both to be mad and then we end up breaking up. I know it sounds weird since I'm upset with him and all, but I don't wanna let go of him. I just don't."

"I don't know what to tell you, then."

Gabriella sighed. "Thanks for trying to help. I guess I'll see you in school tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's Saturday," Taylor pointed out.

"Oh, right. Well then I'll see you Monday. Bye."

"Bye."

Gabriella pressed the 'end call' button on her phone, then put it down. As she did, she heard her mother, Maria, calling her from downstairs.

"Gabriella! Troy's here to see you!"

Gabriella rolled her eyes. Troy was the last person she wanted to talk to at the moment. "I can't see him right now," she yelled back. "I'm busy!"

"Busy doing what?" Maria wanted to know.

"My social studies project."

"Oh, okay."

For a moment, Gabriella could hear her mother and Troy's voices. Then, she heard the door close and footsteps come up the stairs. She looked out her open doorway and was relieved to see it was Maria and not Troy. "Did Troy leave?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah, he left," Maria replied, entering her daughter's room. "You aren't doing a school project," she observed, seeing that Gabriella was just sitting on her bed.

"Yeah, well I'm just not in the mood to see Troy," Gabriella mumbled.

"But it's Valentine's Day. And your one-year anniversary. What happened?"

"He forgot all about it."

"Are you sure he did? Maybe he's planning something and he wants you to think he's not doing anything for you so you're really surprised."

"That's what Sharpay said at school. But I don't think that's what's going on."

"Well why don't you read or something and try to forget about it? Or maybe see if Taylor or Sharpay wants to sleep over here tonight? Try to have fun."

"I don't want to. Now can you please just go? I kind of want to be left alone right now."

"Okay." Maria left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Knock, knock.

Gabriella looked toward the glass door in her room that led to her balcony. Through it, she saw Troy standing there. Sighing, she remembered that there was a tree right next to the house that Troy used to get up to her door when he wanted to visit or secretly spend the night with her.

Troy, seeing Gabriella was looking in his direction, smiled.

Gabriella groaned, slid off her bed, went over to her balcony door, and reluctantly opened it. "What are you doing here, Troy?" she wondered quietly.

"I'm so sorry," Troy apologized hurriedly. "And I don't blame you for being angry with me today. I should pay more attention to when special events are. I was just walking by a store while hanging out with Chad after school, and I saw it said 'Happy Valentine's Day' in the window. I realized what day it was, then remembered it was also our anniversary. I'm so sorry and I really want you to forgive me. Please, just give me one more chance. I love you. I don't want to lose you."

Gabriella was surprised. He loved her? He really did? He had never told her that before-ever. "Troy...."

"Please, Gabriella."

"I-I-I love you, too. But I don't know. I mean, you really messed up."

"Gabriella, I know. I was an idiot. But I promise things will be different now. Please. Gabriella. I really care about you.

My life would be a mess if you weren't part of it. I need you."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll take me back. Please."

After a moment of suspenseful silence, Gabriella replied. "Alright. I will. Just prom-"

Troy leaned close to Gabriella and began kissing her, cutting off what she was about to say.

Gabriella, giggling a little, returned the affection.

When they pulled apart, Troy said, "Gabriella. We're going on a date. Go put on some dressy clothes. I'll get down from your balcony and wait for you in my truck."

"Why do I need to wear something dressy? You aren't, are you?"

Troy unbuttoned the coat he was wearing and showed his girlfriend that he had his suit on. "Yeah, I am."

"And you climbed a tree in it? You're crazy."

"Thank you," Troy smiled. "Now I'm gonna let you go. See you in a couple minutes."

Gabriella climbed into the passenger seat of Troy's car wearing a lightweight tulle white dress that stopped a bit above her knees. On top of it, she had a heavy winter coat. "It's so cold outside!" she exclaimed.

"I know it is," Troy told his girlfriend. "But it's winter, so I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be that way. And by the way, you look beautiful."

Gabriella smiled. "Thanks. So, where are we going?"

"A dance."

"Where's there a dance tonight?"

"You'll see."

"The school?" Gabriella questioned as her boyfriend pulled into a parking space at East High. "Why are we here?"

Troy didn't answer. He just stepped out of his truck and motioned for Gabriella to do the same. When she did, he

grabbed her hand and led her over to the entrance. Then, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a key.

"Troy, what are you doing? Why do you have a key?"

"My dad's the basketball coach here, remember? He has a key to here and I kind of stole it from him."

"Troy!"

"Relax," Troy told his girlfriend as he unlocked the door and stepped inside, gently pulling Gabriella along with him. "Just come with me."

"But it's dark, and there's no heat on in here...it's freezing! And what if I trip and fall?" Gabriella protested.

"Trust me." Troy's eyes adjusted to the dark as he guided Gabriella through the school and up a set of stairs. "Here we are. This is my secret place."

"The school roof?" Gabriella questioned, taking in her surroundings.

"It's nice up here. The science club grows plants here, there's a bench to sit on, the view of the night sky is very good. Try looking. You can see a bunch of stars."

Gabriella listened to Troy. Above her, she saw a bunch of the constellations she had learned about over the years she was in school. In the middle of them shone a beautiful crescent moon. "Wow, you're right!" Then, she suddenly remembered something. "Troy, you said we were going to a dance."

"We're at it now," Troy informed her.

"What do you mean?" Gabriella wanted to know. "This is the school roof."

Troy looked at Gabriella and began to sing:

Take my hand,
I'll take the lead,
And every turn,
Will be safe with me.

Don't be afraid,
Afraid to fall,
You know I'll catch you,
Through it all.

Gabriella smiled and also began singing as she danced with her boyfriend:

And you can't keep us apart (Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
Cause my heart is where ever you are (Cause my heart is where ever you are)

It's like catching lightning,
The chances of finding someone,
Like you.

It's one in a million,
The chances of feeling
The way we do.
And with every step together,
We just keep on getting better

So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?

Troy then leaned over and gave Gabriella a kiss on the lips, which she returned eagerly. After that, he told her, "Let's go out to a late dinner now."

"Okay," Gabriella agreed with a smile.

"I'll meet you upstairs," Troy told Gabriella as he pulled into the driveway of her house. They had just gotten back from dinner, and they hadn't exchanged Valentine's Day gifts yet. So Troy's plan was to climb up to Gabriella's balcony while she went in the front door and to her room.

"Sounds good," Gabriella said, climbing out of her boyfriend's truck and walking to the front door of her house.

Troy also got out of his truck, then went over to the tree next to Gabriella's house.

Gabriella opened her balcony door and let Troy step into her room before closing it. "Alright. Now here's your gift," she announced, holding out a large bag.

Troy took his present from Gabriella, then handed her a rose and a small package wrapped in silver wrapping paper.

"Do you want to open yours first?" Gabriella asked.

"No, you can," Troy replied.

"No, you should."

"You should."

"You should! Troy-"

"We'll both open them at the same time," Troy decided. "Okay, ready? One, two three."

Troy and Gabriella both opened their gifts. Troy had gotten a new basketball and a picture of him and Gabriella, just like Gabriella had told Sharpay she had gotten him earlier that day. Gabriella, in addition to the rose, received a shiny silver necklace with a heart-shaped charm attached to it.

"Gabriella, I love it!" Troy exclaimed. "Thank you so much! You're the best girlfriend in the world! I love you so very much!"

Gabriella smiled. "You're welcome! And my new necklace is beautiful! Thank you, Troy! I'll wear it every day for the

rest of my life! And the rose smells so good!"

"Glad you like it," Troy smiled. "Now I should be getting home. It's very late. But before I leave, I want to ask you

something."

"What?"

"Will you be my Valentine?"

"Of course I will," Gabriella smiled.

"Thanks. I'm glad you accepted my offer." Troy then turned to leave, but suddenly remembered something. "Gabriella?"

He faced his girlfriend again.

"Yeah?"

"Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary," Gabriella returned.