A/N: Thanks to everyone that read and reviewed the last chapter! Only 3 more reviews to go until the 50 mark! Seriously, thanks. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thanks to independentHSMFAN23 for the idea that inspired this chapter! (The dress Gabriella wears is the one she wore in the finale of HSM1.)
Disclaimer: I own nothing. And if Twinkle Town existed, I wouldn't own that either. Haha, enjoy and happy Valentine's Day!!! (Wonder what Zac is going to do for Vanessa….)
The sky looked as if it would open up at any given second, and pour. It had turned gray, just like Gabriella's mood.
Yes, she knew that it was the opening night of the play that she and Troy had worked so hard to take part in, but she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Tonight was supposed to be magical, and she was supposed to share it with him. Instead, there was a tiny hurt inside Gabriella that he had caused.
How could she be so dumb? Troy wasn't falling for her. He was too busy liking that 'Kara' person. But he had led her on….trying to kiss her countless times, smiling at her in Mrs. Darbus' homeroom, late night texting between them, and then the night of the storm. He had held her so close. Gabriella really thought it meant something. But maybe she was wrong.
As if her thoughts conjured him, there he was. Standing in front of her, a slight smile lining the corners of his face. Troy looked so innocent, so sweet. And all Gabriella wanted to do was to wrap her arms around her, and tell him her worries about tonight.
"Hey," Troy spoke. "Good luck tonight."
Gabriella nodded, not bothering to look into his eyes. "You too."
Troy opened his mouth to say more, but was interrupted by the stage manager rushing by. "Ten minutes people!"
Gabriella turned and walked away, but not before a soft "Break a leg Wildcat."
Act 3, Scene 2
"But Mr. Shain, she won't even talk to me! Not a single word. What did I do wrong?"
Gabriella took a deep breath. This was it. This was her moment.
The petite brunette stepped out on stage, the spotlight shining down upon her. As far as Troy could see, she was beautiful. Her brown curls glistened in the light, and her dark eyes seemed to dance in the moment. The red dress Gabriella wore seemed to hug her every curve, and fit her perfectly. She also wore bright red lipstick.
A hush fell over the audience as 'Minnie' entered the stage. After what seemed like forever, she spoke.
"I'll tell you what you did wrong. Sneaking around behind my back, whispering lies in front of my face? If that's what you call love, or what you call trust, it is wrong. So I don't care. Go and be with that girl. I don't care. "
Gabriella turned to go off the stage, her eyes suddenly stinging with tears. How could Troy do that to her? Not that it mattered. She didn't care anymore.
"Wait," Troy spoke with a sudden urgency, one that Gabriella could tell was true. "Minnie, please! We were never together! I promise you that! All the things I said and did, I can sincerely promise you that it is true!"
Gabriella looked him directly in the eye, something that she would've never done in real life.
"How do I know that for sure?"
"Because, would I do this to someone I care about?"
Troy leaned down, ready to proclaim his love by a kiss. But sure enough, a midget ran onstage, and kicked Troy right in the shin.
"OW! J'far!"
The midget let out an evil laugh and ran offstage. "J'far, get back here! We're not done yet!"
Gabriella let loose a small giggle. She couldn't help it; Troy just looked so funny in pain. But the giggles stopped as he looked her in the eye sincerely.
"Minnie…we were meant to be together."
She laced her hand through his, and kissed Troy on the cheek. "Forever."
The audience stood up, giving the play a standing ovation. But as much as Troy and Gabriella would've loved to treasure that moment, there was too much going on at that moment.
Tears stung the brim of Gabriella's eyes, and she knew that she had to get out of there. Backstage, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door, ready to face the pouring rain. Anything was better than this.
A cool wind pushed back her locks of hair, spraying rain in her face, but Gabriella didn't care. She was only headed to her mom's car.
"Wait, Gabriella."
Gabriella recognized that voice. She knew it better than anyone. But for once, she didn't stop because of it.
"Gabriella."
He sounded more desperate now, hurt.
Finally outside, she turned to face him. The baby blue eyes that had once mesmerized her now were gentle but hurting.
"What," she snapped, ready to stand up for herself.
"What did I do?" The hurt in her eyes was too much for Troy. More than anything, he wanted to throw his arms around Gabriella, and comfort her. But that wasn't going to happen. Not then.
"You led me on Troy. I sincerely thought you liked me. All those moments we shared, those times we almost kissed- was it just a game to you? Because it felt real to me."
She turned, ready to walk out of Troy's life forever. But it felt as if something was pulling her back. Something she couldn't explain.
"Gabriella, that was nothing. I promise you that. She is my cousin! She just moved to New Mexico, and my mom asked me to show her around. Gabriella, please."
The brunette turned, tears streaming down her face, mixing with the rain. She couldn't tell which was which. There she stood, her dark hair swiveling around her face, making her look like a sad, broken angel.
Troy took a small step toward her, and when Gabriella didn't protest, he gently cupped her face in his hand, and kissed her.
It was a slow, beautiful kiss. The kind that people wait all their life for, and sometimes never get.
Gabriella closed her eyes, and relished the moment. Finally, it came to an end. They stood; arms wrapped around each other.
A low rumble of thunder echoed softly in the distance, with lightening flashing. But this time Gabriella didn't care. She had gotten her happy ending.
That wasn't the end, there is still a lot more to come! But yay, they are finally together! I hope that was romantic enough for Valentine's Day, and I hope you guys all have a happy day! Thanks for all your reviews last chapter! Be nice and review again...please?
Hugs! Stary :D
