---

The Moon on Their Wings

---

Bliss.

An emotion so perfect and so amazing that Gabriella Montez could not find words to describe it.

As she lay in the hammock that was so conveniently placed in her backyard on this comfortable night of August, all of the memories of the summer came flooding back to her.

Flashback

London UK
2:36PM

Gabriella stared out the balcony of her hotel room from her place on the bed. Tears fell freely from her eyes and she was too hurt to even bother wiping them away. She was obviously thinking about Troy. She realized that her actions on the plane had been petty and that it wasn't his fault he didn't love her back but it just hurt to be rejected. She wanted Troy to be hers.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She contemplated on whether she should open it. It could've been Kelsi. No because Kelsi had grabbed her keycard before going to hang out with Martha, Jason and Ryan. Maybe it was Ms. Darbus getting a head count.

She got up reluctantly and walked toward the door. "Coming."

Gabriella opened the door only to be met with the object of her madness. Troy Bolton.

Before she could say a word Troy quickly spoke.

"I love you."

Gabriella felt her knees go weak and her stomach sink. She got that feeling you get when you're at the top of a really high rollercoaster that before you know it sends you crashing down at what feels a mile a minute.

"What?" she asked in a barely inaudible voice.

"I'm in love with you, Gabriella. So fucking in love with you. I lied on the plane. I said I didn't because I wasn't sure. But now I am. I'm so fucking in love with you it hurts. I realized that you're the perfect girl and the perfect girl makes the perfect girlfriend and I want you to be my girlfriend because I love you and because you're just so damn perfect and I've been so blind to see it," Troy said in a jumble of words, taking a breath after he finished.

Gabriella looked him up and down. She could not believe this was happening. This had only happened and right when he was about to confess she always woke up. And it sucked. And now, she couldn't help but want to pinch herself because she couldn't believe it. She didn't know whether to hit him or to punch him.

"Really?" she was in complete awe.

Troy smiled slightly. "Yes, really." He brought his hands to cup her cheeks and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. "I love you, Gabriella Montez."

"Oh my fucking gosh," Gabriella said a small smile creeping up on her face. "You have no idea how long I've craved for you to say that." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Troy Bolton." She pressed a kiss to his lips. "So much…"

End of Flashback

"Why are you so pensive, Miss Montez?" Troy Bolton's cheeky tone came from beneath her.

Gabriella giggled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Just thinking about London."

"That took some major cojones, babe," Troy chuckled. "After my epic speech, I could've sworn I shit my pants."

"Eww, Troy," Gabriella smacked his chest.

Troy laughed, "For real though. I was really nervous. I thought you'd hit me."

"I'll admit I considered punching you but I was too shocked."

"Yeah, I have that effect on people," Troy said proudly.

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Oh brother."

Troy laughed and kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to miss you while I'm away," he changed the subject.

"I'm going to miss you too," she mumbled. "But I'm happy that you're going to Berkeley."

"I'm happy too," Troy agreed. "And I can't wait until you join me there."

"I have to get accepted first. And what makes you think I want to go to Berkeley?" Gabriella asked playfully.

"Oh that's right, because you haven't been talking about it since your freshman year," Troy said sarcastically.

She just rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. And he took this opportunity to kiss her zealously.

Gabriella felt butterflies flutter inside her tummy. In fact, she did every time that Troy kissed her because she had waited so long for it to happen. Now that it happened practically all the time because Troy couldn't seem to keep his lips, or himself for that matter, off of her, Gabriella felt bliss.

He was her sweetie and he was all hers.