Life with You
Chapter 8: Wishes granted and his confession
"Troy?" Gabriella asked.
"Yep, that's me." Troy answered back. The girls left Gabriella and Troy in the front door.
"Why are you so dressed up?" Gabriella asked. "And where are they going?"
"I usually dress formally when it's Christmas Eve." Troy lied, "Beats me, I don't have any where they're going." He started to push Gabriella's wheelchair.
"Well they told me earlier that we're going to a party. So Sharpay bought me this dress." Gabriella told Troy.
"The shoe looks good on you." Troy answered. He smiled that she wore the shoes tonight.
Gabriella blushed, "Thanks. It looks good on this dress."
"You look beautiful tonight too." Troy added.
Gabriella blushed even more, "Where are we going?" Gabriella noticed that they're heading at the back door.
"You'll see." Troy answered. He pushed the back door open. The lights suddenly lit up and Gabriella was shocked to see what was in front of her.
In front of her was the garden, which suddenly lit up with thousands of dancing lights. In front of her was a big opening made from hedges that covered the garden. The hedges were fully decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights in different shapes and sizes. There are two white pillars on the side and a signage made from light sculpture saying "Merry Christmas" hanging up the pillars. Two snowman also made from light sculpture was placed on the side of the hedges. Gabriella was shocked that she wasn't able to say anything.
Troy slowly pushed Gabriella at the entrance. When they entered Gabriella became more speechless, if the entrance is beautiful, inside is more breathtaking. A large Christmas tree standing at the center of the garden there hanging lots of expensive Christmas ornaments and dancing lights, buffet tables with different foods were on the tables on the left side corner, a piano was sitting on the right side, flowers were planted everywhere, trees being lighted, there's also a big swing hanging on one of the ornamented trees, it's ropes were also decorated with vines, flowers, and lights and Christmas lights lightened the place. Chad, Zeke, Taylor, Sharpay, Ryan, Kelsi, Jason and Martha suddenly appeared. Gabriella smiled at everybody. She looked up and smiled at Troy. Troy looked at her and smiled back, knowing that she liked the garden.
"Well I guess we have to start the party!" Chad said.
Everybody gathered around the buffet table, Troy gave Gabriella a plate, which Gabriella gladly accepted and said a warm "Thank you" to him. They all sat in the table on under the tree. Everybody was happy to celebrate Christmas Eve together Sharpay and Martha were in charge of taking the pictures and the video coverage. All of a sudden Kelsi stood up.
"Guys I finally finished the song." Kelsi said and showed the sheet.
Everybody congratulated Kelsi. "I want you guys to hear it first, Gabriella, Sharpay and Ryan helped me on this. But I want Gabriella and Troy to sing this song and everybody as well." Kelsi told everyone.
"Is it okay?" Kelsi asked Troy.
"I guess." Troy answered.
"Great let's go then!" Kelsi said then she headed towards the piano. She sat on the piano while the rest gathered around her. She gave everybody a copy of the music. She then, started playing and sang.
Kelsi:
Na na na na
Na na na na yeah
You are the music in me
You know the words
Once Upon A Time
Make you listen.
There's a reason.
Kelsi and Gabriella:
When you dream there's a chance you'll find
A little laughter or a happy ever after
Gabriella and Troy:
Your harmony to the melody
It's echoing inside my head
Gabriella:
A single voice
(Troy: Single voice)
Gabriella:
Above the noise
Troy and Gabriella:
And like a common thread
Troy:
Hmm, you're pulling me
Gabriella:
When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong
Troy:
Oh, you are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
Gabriella:
And it's brought us here because
Troy and Gabriella:
Because you are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh)
Na na na na na
Yeah yeah yeah (Na na na na)
You are the music in me
Gabriella
It's like I knew you before we met (Before we met)
Can't explain it (Ohh ohh)
There's no name for it (No name for it)
Troy and Gabriella:
I'm saying words I never said
Troy:
And it was easy (So easy)
Because you see the real me (I see)
As I am
Troy and Gabriella:
You understand
And that's more than I've ever known
Gabriella:
To hear your voice (Hear your voice)
Above the noise (Ohh ohh)
Troy and Gabriella:
And no, I'm not alone
Gabriella:
Oh you're singing to me (Ohh yeah)
Troy and Gabriella:
When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong (Yeah ohh)
You are the music in me
It's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
You are the music in me
Together we're gonna sing (Yeah)
We got the power to sing what we feel (What we feel)
Connected and real
Can't keep it all inside (Ohh)
Everyone:
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah (Na na na na)
Gabriella:
You are the music in me (In me)
Everyone:
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me
When I hear my favorite song (Favorite song)
I know that we belong (We belong)
You are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
It's brought us here because (Here because)
You are the music in me
Without anyone noticing Jason left the scene and went at the back of the hedges he was preparing to light up the fireworks.
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me (Yeah)
Fireworks display suddenly filled the sky. Everybody looked up as Jason joined came back to join them watch.
"It's beautiful." Gabriella said to Troy.
"Glad you like it." Troy said.
"No I loved it." Gabriella answered.
After the fireworks display, everybody gathered and took pictures in memory of the said event. Chef Patricio even helped them take a group picture together. They even made candid shots just to make fun of themselves. Everybody exchanged gifts and hugged one another and greeted "Merry Christmas".
"Guys this is the best Christmas I've ever had." Gabriella told everybody. "Thank you for making this year so memorable to me, I never thought I would get to have a lot of friends. Friends that I never expected to be friends with."
"We're glad you liked the Christmas Party." Taylor said, "Troy boy here planned it."
"You planned it?" Gabriella asked Troy.
"W-well yeah." Troy answered back scratching his head.
"Thank you." Gabriella smiled. "It's perfect, I never expected that you guys would do this for me. This is so special. You should've told me that you're going to do this I could've have helped."
"Well then it we wouldn't see the fascinated face of our innocent Gabi." Ryan joked.
Gabriella laughed, "Am I that naïve?"
Ryan answered, "No."
"Give me the pictures okay?" Gabriella told Sharpay.
"Don't worry Gabi, I'll give you the pictures." Sharpay replied.
Gabriella laughed, "Thanks guys, really I appreciate all your efforts especially you Troy."
"No problem Gabi. Now I've granted your second wish." Troy smiled.
"Yeah, you did." Gabriella smiled back. "And Kelsi, the song turned out really nice I really loved it."
"Nice to hear that Gabi." Kelsi replied, "I think the song suits you and Troy."
Both Gabriella and Troy blushed. Everybody laughed and Sharpay took pictures of the moment.
Suddenly Kelsi left the piano turned on the CD player, playing the song "If I Never Knew You". Troy looked at Gabriella and asked, "Gabi, may I have this dance?"
As soon as the song started, the guys started to ask the girls to dance, Chad with Taylor, Jason with Kelsi, Sharpay with Zeke and Ryan with Martha.
Gabriella looked at him quizzically, "But how?"
"Do you trust me?" Troy asked.
Gabriella looked at him for a minute and nodded, "I trust you."
Troy carried her, and Gabriella wrapped her arms around Troy's shoulders for support. Troy began to sway her like a baby. "I know you said it's impossible for you to dance." Troy started, "Even though your feet's not on the ground, dancing is never impossible. Because I'm with you, and I'll make impossible things possible like now, we're dancing."
Gabriella realized that it was true, she may not be able to walk or stand, but with Troy, she felt as if she can dance even though he was swaying her, but she felt that she was dancing with him. "Thank you Troy. You're a real genie." Gabriella told him.
"See I granted your three wishes." Troy smiled.
Both of them closed their eyes and danced until the song is finished. Another song played entitled, "This I Promise you" and both of them continued to sway.
Chad gestured everyone to leave, which everybody agreed. They hid themselves behind the hedges. Sharpay started to record Gabriella and Troy. Gabriella and Troy was left in the garden alone. As soon as the song was finished, both decided to stay in the garden and sit on the swings. Troy placed her first and then he sat beside her.
"Thanks." Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. "You're welcome."
They started talking about random things, from their childhood to the present.
"I really don't have any idea why you bullied me. I didn't recall any instances that I might have offended you." Gabriella told Troy.
Troy lowered his head. "Actually, I really don't have any idea why I did that to you. Maybe because I was just looking for attention, I'm sorry I did that I really am sorry."
"That's okay Troy. Past is past. I know you didn't do it intentionally." Gabriella answered.
"How can you forgive a person so easily— no, even if people did something mean or harm you how can you not get mad at them?" Troy asked, he remembered various incidents that happened like in the church, with Conners and with Tyrone.
Gabriella sighed and answered, "Life is short Troy. I never want to hold any grudges to anybody. I don't want to waste my time getting mad at a person."
Troy nodded he fully understood what Gabriella asked, "You really do treasure your life do you?"
"Yeah I do. Even though I can't walk, I have to look forward to my future and look of what awaits me. Everything happens for a reason, I don't regret anything that has happened to me. Maybe because my fate has been written down gazillion years ago, I don't know. But I just think positive, knowing that I can make anything that normal people can do." Gabriella answered.
Troy admired Gabriella even more, "You're a tough girl Gabi."
"Thanks." Gabriella smiled. "I never thought we'd be friends you know."
"How come?" Troy asked.
Gabriella smiled, "Well first of all, you're like a 'god' in school. Girls would die for you and you hated me."
Troy pouted, "Hey I already said sorry!"
Gabriella laughed, "I was just joking."
"I never thought of it too. I guess it was meant to be. To know you and to let go of the real Troy that has been kept inside for so long." Troy answered.
"So the cold hearted Troy was only for a show?" Gabriella asked.
"You can say that." Troy replied.
"Why do you have to pretend?" Gabriella asked.
"To hide my real emotions, being alone in this big house isn't fun. That's why to release my angst with my parents who have never been here the whole year round, I guess I released it to you and other people in school." Troy answered. "But I guess now, I won't pretend anymore."
"Your parents are working so hard for your future Troy and you know that. You will inherit all their hard work. Being alone is okay, as long as you have someone to cling on to. Pretending to be someone you're not is hard Troy, never do that again." Gabriella told Troy.
"Thanks. I know they're doing this for me, but all their hard work is too much. The money my parents earned will be inherited by my grandchildren's grandchildren!" Troy replied.
Gabriella giggled. "That's alright Troy. Why don't you tell them how you feel?"
"I don't know if they'll listen." Troy answered.
"They love you Troy, I'm sure they will. They're your parents." Gabriella smiled.
"I guess I have to tell them. It's worth a shot." Troy replied.
Gabriella laughed, "East high's Troy Bolton, scared?"
Troy laughed at her question, "Hey! I'm not scared. It's just I have like a huge gap with them. It feels we're not family."
"I'm sure everything will work out Troy." Gabriella answered. "Speaking of your parents. I thought your parents would be here during holidays?" Gabriella asked.
Troy shrugged, "They're busy opening up a cruise line business, so they couldn't come here and celebrate Christmas with me."
Gabriella placed her hands on top of Troy and smiled, "Don't worry Troy. During this time of the year, my mom couldn't come home either. Ever since my dad died and my mom has to raise me and look for work. It's always been like me alone during the holidays and most of the time."
"So what do you do when you're alone?" Troy asked.
Gabriella laughed, "My life's a bore. Read books, watch TV, make music, sing and eat pizza. What about you?"
"Go to Chad's. If my parents are here, we'll have dinner but after that we'll head in our rooms." Troy responded. "This is actually the first Christmas I had fun. No offense to Chad but I appreciate his family they're like my parents most of the time, but you know with our friends tonight I can't believe that this is the meaning of Christmas."
"Same here. This Christmas will be the most memorable for me." Gabriella said, "Thank you for making this night really special. Now I can feel what Christmas is like."
"Anything for my master." Troy bowed.
Gabriella laughed, "You seriously wanted to become a genie aren't you?"
"Yes. But only for you." Troy smiled.
Gabriella blushed. "Thanks."
Suddenly snow fell from the sky. Gabriella smiled in delight.
"Look Troy!" Gabriella pointed up the sky. "It's snowing."
Both look up and smiled as they shared the first snow of the year.
"It's beautiful." Gabriella said.
"I'll get your coat." Troy told her which she nodded. He went inside for a minute or two and came back and gave her coat which Gabriella took and worn.
On Chad's side, Martha and Sharpay continued to take pictures and video the event.
"Oh my gosh, they're so sweet!" Sharpay exclaimed.
"Yeah, I agree." Taylor replied. "They really looked good together."
"What are they talking about?" Chad asked.
"I dunno, about the past I think." Martha answered.
"What's taking him so long to confess?" Chad asked.
Everybody looked at Chad. "What?"
Taylor nudged Chad's stomach, "Ow!"
"You took a long time confessing to me and now you want Troy to confess immediately?" Taylor glared at Chad.
Chad raised his hands up signaled for defeat, "Sorry. Its just Troy is usually fast with girls you know."
"Well Gabi's different Chad. First of all she's not any other girl in school who just hang in Troy's arms because: One – He is the richest guy in school. Two- He's popular. Three- He's body and the girls will instantly be popular when she's the flavor of the week." Taylor pointed out.
"I have to agree with one and two. But number three? I don't think so." Chad answered.
"Why not?" Taylor asked.
"You really don't know him do you?" Chad asked his girlfriend. "He never let any girl come in his house."
"Oh." That was all Taylor could say. They continued to film the event until suddenly snow fell from the sky.
"Oh my gosh! It's snowing!" Kelsi exclaimed.
"Isn't it romantic?" Sharpay asked. "The first snowfall of the year. This is just perfect!"
"I'll get your coats, come on." Zeke told Ryan, Chad and Jason to help him. The four of them left to get their coats. A few minutes later they arrived and gave the girls their coats.
"What are they doing now?" Ryan asked.
"Enjoying the snow, they look so adorable!" Sharpay exclaimed.
"This is the Sharpay we know, who loves romantic scenes." Kelsi pointed Sharpay.
Everybody laughed silently so that they won't get caught.
"Well it is romantic!" Sharpay defended.
Zeke patted her back, "That's okay Shar. Continue to take pictures."
Troy then lifted Gabriella from the swing and placed her back in her wheelchair, he pushed her away from the swing then both of them played with the snow that slowly flowing down from the sky. They were trying to catch it with their mouths then they'd laugh at each other. Both of them are comfortable with each other.
"This is fun! I've never played in the snow before." Gabriella said.
"Seriously?" Troy asked. "Why? There's no snow in the cities you've lived in?"
"There's snow." Gabriella answered, "But my mom doesn't allow me to go out and play. Because I'm alone, I might have an accident. You know, being alone and all doesn't really help."
"Well that's okay. You are playing now right?" Troy asked.
"I guess." Gabriella smiled at him. "Where are they?"
"Who?" Troy asked.
"Taylor and the rest." Gabriella answered.
"I dunno, probably somewhere around the mansion." Troy replied.
"Oh, I forgot to ask." Gabriella said.
"Ask what?" Troy asked her.
"How did you transfer you piano from your living room to here?" Gabriella asked. "That is heavy."
"Well I called some guys in our mall to help us transfer the piano." Troy answered.
"Cool." Gabriella smiled.
The snow continued to fall until the grass was completely covered with snow. Troy started throwing mini snowballs at Gabriella.
"Hey that's mean!" Gabriella told Troy.
Troy just laughed at her and continued throwing snowballs. "Well you better throw snowballs at me so we'll get even."
"If you say so." Gabriella answered, she bent down and grabbed some snow and formed them into small balls and threw them at Troy.
They continued to play throwing snowballs at each other then as more snow piled up, they made a snowman. Troy lied down on the grass and made snow angel who made Gabriella laughed.
"You're like a kid Troy!" Gabriella exclaimed.
"Yeah I am!" Troy answered.
Both of them laughed and continued playing until they both got tired. Troy grabbed his chair and sat beside Gabriella.
"Wow this is fun." Gabriella asked. "I've never had fun like this before."
"Nice." Troy said.
"A-aren't they done yet?" Chad asked. "We've been here ages ago. What's taking Troy so long?"
"Be quiet Chad!" Taylor hissed.
"It's cold you know!" Chad defended.
"We'll just have to wait then." Taylor answered.
"Aww.. aren't they cute? They're making snowman!" Sharpay exclaimed.
"It would be more cuter if Troy confesses his feelings already." Chad said. "It's cold out here."
"If you don't want to see what'll happen then go inside and watch TV!" Taylor told her boyfriend, "We won't give you any piece of detail."
"I'll stay here. I'm not cold." Zeke suddenly said.
"Me too." Jason added.
"Me three." Ryan said.
Chad looked at the three guys who's been whispering to him that they're cold, "Traitors." He told them. The three of them made a peace sign with him. "Fine, I'll stay."
"Oh wait…" Kelsi told the guys. "Something's happening."
Chad moved his head forward and listened.
"Are you cold?" Troy asked.
"No I'm fine." Gabriella smiled, "Are you?"
"I'm good." Troy replied.
Gabriella smiled, "I've never had this much fun before."
"You've said that a couple of times tonight." Troy smirked.
"Well I really did have a great time." Gabriella told Troy. "How's the basketball practice going?"
"The teams great even though it's our winter break the past few days Chad, Zeke, Jason and I still hangout and shoot some hoops for three hours. Then sometimes we strategize our offense and defense and think about the strategies of the teams we've beaten."
"So you think the wildcats would win the Championship again this year?" Gabriella asked.
"Definitely if you promise me you'd attend all the games we're going to be in after the break." Troy told her.
Gabriella laughed, "Okay. But why?"
"You're my lucky charm." Troy said.
Gabriella giggled, "Thanks for that."
"The scholastic decathlon and the drama club how is it?" Troy asked.
"The decathlon is doing fine, we don't have meetings during the break. The drama club, Kelsi told me that Ms. Darbus wants us to compose some songs for the Spring Musical. She liked the song we sang for our English project so Kelsi asked me a copy of it. She is also going to give the song we all sang earlier to Ms. Darbus. Other than that, I'm still thinking of what songs to write." Gabriella answered.
"Oh that's cool then." Troy answered. "So who's going to lead the spring musical? I bet Sharpay and Ryan."
Gabriella shook her head, "No. They still need to go through auditions. And it depends on Ms. Darbus who she'd think perfect for the role."
"Oh." Troy replied.
"Why do you want to audition?" Gabriella asked.
"Hell no!" Troy said immediately. "I'm not the musical type of guy."
"Why? You sing really good." Gabriella asked.
"I sing. Once in a while." Troy answered.
Gabriella laughed. "If you say so."
Troy laughed, "Yeah. For a girl like you, you do have a lot of things in your hand. The decathlon, you also helped in the drama club, what else?"
Gabriella laughed, "That's what basically I do everyday. I love writing music I guess it's one of my outlets. Letting go of the feelings I have inside through music."
"That's cool. I let out my feelings in basketball and by bullying everybody." Troy joked.
"Yes that is true." Gabriella agreed.
"Hey! I was only joking am I really that bad?" Troy asked.
Gabriella giggled, "I'm joking too Troy. Oh and you lack one thing!"
"What is it?" Troy asked her.
"Hire and dump your girlfriends." Gabriella told him.
Troy pouted, "Hey I ended that ages ago."
"Yeah I know I still couldn't figure out why you suddenly got sick and tired of it as you always said." Gabriella asked.
"I got tired of fooling around I guess. People change you know." Troy answered.
"I know. But how come?" Gabriella asked.
"I guess I realized that girls only want me either my money, my body and become popular." Troy answered.
"Your body?" Gabriella asked innocently.
"Hey don't think of anything. I never let any of my girlfriends come here! Ask Patricio." Troy defended.
Gabriella giggled, "That's okay Troy. They're your girlfriends so it's normal for you to bring them here."
"I told you I haven't bring any of my ex-girlfriends here." Troy replied.
"Okay." Gabriella smiled. "I believe you."
"To tell you the truth." Troy started.
"What truth?" Gabriella asked him.
"You're the first girl who ever stepped in this mansion." Troy answered.
Back at the hedges Chad smiled proudly, "See I told you, he never bring his ex-girlfriends in his house. Everybody thought he had sex with anyone but it's bull. The girls just make stories up to make other girls envy and as the saying goes, the story gets longer and complicated."
Taylor laughed, "Okay fine, you win."
Gabriella blushed and couldn't say anything after what Troy had told her. She was flattered, but she knew that she went in his mansion just because she needs to tutor him. They both sat in silence and looked at the snow falling down. After a few minutes, Gabriella suddenly asked Troy, "Troy I have a question."
"What is it?" Troy asked her.
"Since you've become my genie and you happened to grant all of my wishes." Gabriella started, "Then I guess I would have to be your genie in return."
"Okay." Troy answered.
"If I were a genie and is able to grant you three wishes, what would it be?" Gabriella asked Troy.
Troy looked at her, he smiled, "Well for starters, I would only want to have one wish."
"But I'm giving you three!" Gabriella informed him.
Troy laughed, "I only want one wish, genie."
"Fine then what's your wish?" Gabriella asked him.
"Hmm.. let me think about it. Okay?" Troy told her.
Gabriella giggled and nodded.
Troy acted as if he was thinking about his wish but he already knew what his wish is. A few minutes later, he looked at her and smiled.
"You already have a wish?" Gabriella asked.
Troy nodded and answered, "Yes. I do."
"What is it then?" Gabriella asked him.
"Gabriella, I wish that you'd be with me." Troy answered.
"But I'm with you." Gabriella answered back. "All of us we're with you. Your wish has been granted."
Troy kneeled down and placed his hands on her shoulders, "No Gabi, that's not what I meant. What I mean is Gabriella I like you."
"I like you too, we're friends like.." Gabriella was cut-off by Troy.
"No Gabi listen to me carefully, I want us to be more than friends." Troy said.
Gabriella was shocked, "W-what?"
"Gabi, I like you. No, I love you. I've fallen in love with you." Troy told her directly looking into her eyes. "I'm serious Gabriella and I'm sure about my feelings for you. I want you to be my girlfriend. My wish is that I'd want you to be with me, together, be my girlfriend."
Gabriella then knew that Troy is serious. He looked at her with his deep-blue eyes not breaking any eye contact with her. Gabriella was so surprised with his confession that she couldn't utter a word. She just continued to look at him with her chocolate brown eyes she just couldn't believe what she heard a few seconds ago, she was completely in shock and it made her heart beat faster, butterflies in her stomach are fluttering wildly. Hiding on the hedges, Chad and the rest were completely utterly shocked as well. All of their jaws were hanging down from their mouth. They knew it was coming but they couldn't believe Troy Bolton would do that to a girl everyone knew that Gabriella is special to him. Sharpay and Martha were still holding their devices, but Sharpay stopped clicking her digital camera while the video camera still continued in recording. Everybody were holding their breath as they wait for Gabriella to respond to Troy's confession, it's as if they're watching a romantic movie only that it is in reality and they knew who the main characters are.
Both Gabriella and Troy were in the middle of the garden, looking at each other quietly. Gabriella couldn't move her mouth. She didn't have any idea how to answer him. Troy suddenly became completely nervous and impatient with Gabriella's complete silence, so he asked, "Aren't you going to say something?" Gabriella tried to move her mouth, nothing came out. She tried to speak once more, still nothing. She sighed and took a deep breath and started to speak again.
"I.. I.." Gabriella stammered…
