Twenty Five! The Music Project!
Wednesday morning, Troy and Gabriella walked into East High hand in hand. They found Chad, Taylor, Zeke, Sharpay, Jason and Kelsi standing in a group by Troy's locker. Chad spotted the new couple first.
"Hey! It's about time, you two!"
Taylor hit her boyfriend on the back of the head.
"Don't be so insensitive! Hey, Gabs, Troy. Congratulations!"
Gabriella let go of Troy's hand and walked over to Taylor, giving her a small hug. Kelsi and Sharpay joined the hug as the boys did their little high fives. When they pulled back, Kelsi spoke up.
"So, are you guys ready for the music presentations?"
Everyone nodded except for Gabriella, who turned and stared at her, eyes wide.
"That's today?"
Sharpay glanced at Troy and turned back to Gabriella.
"Yeah... Did you forget?"
Gabriella sighed.
"I guess with everything going on, it slipped my mind."
Taylor looked concerned.
"Are you okay, Gabs? Are you ready for it?"
Gabriella looked at Troy and he took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Yeah. I'm just nervous, is all. I'll get over it."
♪
"Kelsi? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Troy. What's up?"
Troy played nervously with his hands.
"Well... Gabriella is really nervous about the whole singing thing so... I was wondering if we could do your song. That way, I'd be singing with her. Maybe it will help calm her or something, knowing she isn't the only up there."
Kelsi looked confused.
"What song?"
"Uh, Gabriella was working on a song called Breaking Free?
"Oh... Sure, go for it. It's for next year's Spring Musicale but it could debut now"
"Thank you so much, Kels.
"No problem, Troy. Anything for you and Gabriella. You're a good boyfriend. Now let's go eat! I'm hungry!"
Troy laughed and followed Kelsi to the table the gang usually occupied at lunch. Troy took his seat beside Gabriella and took her hand under the table. She leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"What was that?"
"I was just asking Kelsi something."
Troy gave Gabriella a kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush. The other girls at the table giggled while the boys rolled their eyes.
"Dude! I'm eating here!"
"Shut it, Chad."
Taylor smacked Chad on the arm, causing the whole table to erupt into laughter. Chad sat there, rubbing his arm.
"Ow! That hurt! You are so mean."
Taylor stuck out her tongue.
"I know."
"And very immature, too."
Troy's eyebrow rose.
"You're one to talk, buddy."
♪
Gabriella sat at her desk, trying to pay attention to the presentations that were going on in front of her, but not succeeding. She was nervous, anyone could see that. She absent mindedly clapped when a guy named James and his partner, Haley, had finished. Haley packed up her guitar while James placed his bongos back into their case. Ms. Darbus consulted her list.
"Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez."
Troy stood with his guitar in hand, giving his hand for Gabriella to take. She timidly took it and stood, walking slowly to the front of the classroom. She sat on a stool that was placed there and looked at all the awaiting faces. She almost fainted right there, but Troy took her hand and squeezed it. She gave him a small smile. He took a seat on the stool next to Gabriella and spoke into the mic.
"Hey, guys. Um... sorry about this, but, you're gonna have to put up with my singing."
Gabriella looked at Troy, confused but still nervous. Troy just smiled at her and she instantly knew she could trust him.
"This song was written by a good friend of ours, Kelsi Neilson, and Gabriella. Hope you enjoy it."
Gabriella smiled as Troy started to play, instantly recognizing the tune that floated throughout the classroom. Troy took a deep breath and sang into the mic.
We're soaring
Flying
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
Gabriella closed her eyes, and sang her line, imagining it was just her and Troy.
If we're trying
So we're breaking free
Gabriella opened her eyes and looked at Troy as he sang his part, completely captivated by his voice.
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
Gabriella felt more comfortable and got into the song, singing with all the emotion she could muster. Troy smiled as he listened to Gabriella. He couldn't help feeling proud that she was able to overcome her fears.
Creating space between us
'Til we're separate hearts
Gabriella and Troy sang together, staring into each other's eyes, forgetting the rest of the class was watching them.
But your faith
It gives me strength
Strength to believe
We're breaking free
The couple didn't notice when people started clapping along, amazed that they sounded so good.
We're soaring
Flying
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're trying
Yeah we're breaking free (Ohh we're breaking free, Ooh)
Can you feel it building?
Like a wave the ocean just can't control
Connected by a feeling ooh in our very souls (Very souls, ooh)
Gabriella felt like she was breaking free, breaking free for the few moments when nothing mattered but her and Troy. She didn't feel the pain of possibly losing her mother or that she herself could leave the earth soon. All she felt was the joy and freedom of being with Troy.
Rising 'till it lifts us up
So everyone can see
We're breaking free
We're soaring
Flying
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're trying
Yeah were breaking free
Oh we're breaking free (Ooh)
Running
Climbing
To get to the place
To be all that we can be
Now's the time
So were breaking free
We're breaking free (Ooh, Yeah)
More than hope, more than faith
This is truth, this is fate
And together we see it coming
More than you, more than me
Not a want, but a need
Both of us breaking free...
Soaring
Flying
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If were trying
Yeah we're breaking free (Breaking free)
We're running
Ooh climbing
To get to the place to be all that we can be
Now's the time (Now's the time)
So we're breaking free (Ohh, We're breaking free, Ooh)
Troy looked at Gabriella and felt a wave of intense emotion rush over him. He felt the love he had for her and the love that she had for him.
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
Troy and Gabriella continued to look at each other, completely lost in each other's gazes. They were broken out of their trance when the whole class erupted into applause and cheers. Even Ms. Darbus was cheering and clapping her hands.
"Bravo! Brava!"
Gabriella looked nervously as the class stood, giving them a standing ovation. She looked over at Taylor, who had tears in her eyes. Beside Taylor was Kelsi, who gave her a thumbs up and a large smile. Sharpay was just beaming. She clapped her hands together and was squealing. Zeke was holding her down, preventing her from running up to the front to hug Troy and Gabriella. Gabriella giggled; glad she had the support of her best friends.
Troy placed his guitar back in its case and stood beside Gabriella, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She instantly turned red as the class erupted into hoots and hollers. Ms. Darbus looked amused, but had to regain control of her wild class.
"That's enough, Mr. Bolton! No PDA in school!"
Troy chuckled and took Gabriella's hand, leading her back to their seats.
♪
I don't own the song... Although I really wish I did. (Sigh)
Jay