Chapter 21

Prom.

It was tonight. As I sat here eating my breakfast, I was trying to remain calm, but I was failing. I was a nervous wreck. I had finally squeezed the money out of my mother for the ticket, but she said that I was on my own for a dress and my hair.

I wasn't very worried, about my hair. I wasn't a professional, but I wasn't horrible with it. I decided I would just leave it natural; curly. Of course I would be sure to put a lot of hairspray in it so it stays perfect throughout the whole night. My make-up wouldn't be very heavy; just some blush, mascara and lip gloss. I never really wore a lot of make-up, only when I didn't have any other choice.

And for my dress, well, at first I was very, very worried. But one night I was in bed, trying to think of ways I could get money so that I could afford a dress, and then it popped in my head. Instantly, I leaped out of bed, running over to the closet, hoping my mother didn't get rid of it or something. Pulling open the doors, I searched through the clothes, a huge grin forming on my face when I saw it hanging there in the back.

I carefully pulled it out, seeing that it was as perfect when I first bought it. I held the black, floor length dress Sharpay had bought me that day I found out that I would be moving here. The dress that I kept, wanting to have one thing from my rich life. And right now, I was so thankful that I didn't give it up. Or else I would have been so screwed right now.

"Gabby! Let's go! Troy is here," Dakota announced, as I got up from the chair, grabbing my bag and walking out the front door.

Climbing into Troy's truck, he smiled, leaning over and kissing me. I heard Dakota mumble an ew, and I'm sure an eye roll was threw in there too.

"You ready for tonight?" Troy asked, while driving down the road headed to East High.

"Eh," I shrugged. "I'm not too crazy about my date, but whatever."

He shook his head, smiling. "Very funny. But I know your date is crazy about you."

"Could you too get any more cheesy?" Dakota complained from the backseat.

"So how was that kiss with Jack last night?" I asked, trying to embarrass her.

"Shut up," she glared at me, her face blushing.

"You should have seen it, Troy. It was like make-out city or something."

"Gabby!" she groaned.

"I'm just giving him a visual."

"You two are always like this, aren't you?" Troy asked, finding humor in this situation.

"No, I'm the one who usually makes her mad," Dakota said.

--

"I mean I cannot believe our senior prom is already here! It's tonight," Taylor rambled. Every word out of her mouth today was about what she was wearing to prom, how her hair would look, and how she hoped Chad would behave at prom. Every thing was about prom with her today, and I was thankful it was ninth period because she was wearing me down.

"Am I the only one excited here?" she asked me.

"Oh, no," I shook my head. "I'm excited...and nervous," I spoke honestly.

"Nervous?" she questioned. "Why?"

I shrugged, "I really don't know." I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about tonight just didn't settle right with me, and I was beginning to hate this feeling. It seemed like something was going to happen, something not too good. And I wanted tonight to be absolutely perfect, with no bad surprises, or twists. Just pure excellence.

"I'll see ya tonight, Gabby," Taylor spoke, getting up from her desk, following other students out of the room. I guess I didn't hear the bell.

Walking out of the classroom, I turned down the hall, headed towards my locker, when a strong arm caught me by the waist. The arm pulled me closer, capturing me in a kiss. He smiled, pulling away and looking me in the eyes.

"I can't wait until tonight," he whispered in my ear.

"Neither can I," I smiled.

We made our way to my locker and Troy lent on the one next to mine, staring at me while I put things in it, and took my bag out. "What?" I asked, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Nothing," he shook his head. "I just can't believe you said yes. I mean, you must be really dumb, no offense.

"Well, how can I say no to a guy who asked me twice, no matter how weird he is."

He laughed without humor. "Very funny. I just didn't feel like getting rejected."

"You sure know your way around things," I muttered, closing my locker, and leaning against it.

A smirk grew on his face, as his hands went to my hips and he inched closer to my lips. "I know my around other things too." He connected our lips, and I lifted my arms, lacing them around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Hey, PDA whores," a voice said, "could I get a ride home?"

We broke apart to see Dakota standing there, looking at us with attitude written all over her face. I blushed at the nickname she used for us, and Troy laughed, telling her yes.

--

Troy pulled in front of the house, coming to a complete stop. As soon as it was safe, Dakota unbuckled her seat belt and was out of the truck in a flash, flying inside.

"I guess she didn't want to watch us do this," Troy grinned, leaning over and kissing me on the lips.

"I can't imagine why," I said back, reconnecting our lips.

"I know," he agreed, "I find it fun."

I smiled into the kiss, as it grew deeper and deeper. We were in the middle of our make-out session when a soft tap was heard on the window. Troy groaned, pulling back, as I turned to see who it was.

Josie stood there in her purple robe, holding one of the many cats with a clueless smile on her face. I opened the door, a little embarrassed that my aunt just caught me in the middle of kissing someone.

"Sorry to interrupt, but, I'm going to need your help with dinner, Gabriella."

"Uh, yeah, okay," I agreed.

"Alright, so wrap it up," she spoke, putting her index finger in the air and flicking her wrist, her finger going in a twirl. She spun around and walked back into the house, barefoot.

"Oh my god," I mumbled. "She's so out of it sometimes."

"I think she's cool," Troy laughed.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I better go in before she comes back out."

"Okay, I'll pick you up tonight," he told me, giving me a small peck.

--

When I walked into the kitchen, I saw Dakota and Josie at the counter, preparing dinner. I could hear some Led Zeppelin song playing from the old radio, sitting on the table. The long antenna was pulled out, and the song was a little staticy.

"Gabriella, we're having steak tonight, is that all right with you?"

"Uh, well actually, I'm eating at prom tonight, and I really should go get a shower so I can be ready by seven."

"Oh, that's right," Josie said. "I keep forgetting that you're eating at prom. Well, I just cleaned the bathroom today, so you're in luck."

"Oh," I nodded. "Alright."

Spinning around, I went upstairs and went into the bedroom, getting all the things out that I would need tonight. I grabbed the clutch I had bought off the dresser and then proceeded to the closet where the dress was hanging. I took it out, looking it once again.

Tonight just seemed too perfect to be true.

A/N: I feel like I'm ruining this story as it goes on, ugh. I really hate that it takes me forever to get one chapter out, but the past three chapters I just couldn't seem to get right. I rewrote this one twice, and changed things around about ten times. Let me know what you guys think.