In the weeks ahead, the gang all paid attention when Gabriella started to sing. Sharpay even harmonized with her a few times after band parctice. Everyone agreed they sounded great. Troy loved hearing her sing, but stood by his word. He refused to pressure her into joining the band.
Gabriella hated to admit it, but she was scared to join the band. She was terrified of being embarrassed in front to the whole church. Afraid of letting Troy down. After weeks of refusing, she took her plight to the Lord. Sitting at her desk ay work, she prayed:
"Lord, I'm scared, but I know that You can take away my fears if it is Your will. Show me, Father, what it is You would have me to do. Take away my anxiety and give me strength to power through my stage fright."
She opened her eyes and took a deep breath, she felt her anxiety leave her and smiled, she knew what she wanted to do, so she called Troy before she could change her mind.
Troy was on his lunch break when his phone rang. He answered without looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"
"Troy? Are you busy?"
Troy pulls his phone away from his ear to look at the time. "I have another twenty minutes before I have to go to the Frederick construction site."
Gabriella decided to just say it before she lost her nerve. "I changed my mind."
Troy smiles knowing what she's talking about but wanting to hear it. "About what?"
Gabriella was too distracted to notice his smile. "The band. I want a tryout."
Troy grins. "How's Tuesday? You can tryout before practice Wednesday night and then practice with us."
Gabriella smiles. "Perfect."
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Tuesday night, Gabriella got to the church a half hour before practice. Troy stepped out of his truck, where he waited for her, smiling as he opened her door.
"Hi", he said smiling as he took her into his arms.
Gabriella wrapped her arms loosely around his neck as she goes up on her toes for a sweet kiss. "Hey. I missed you."
Troy's smile spread into a grin. "I missed you too."
To be honest, he found himself missing her more and more when they were apart. He found himself imaging what it would be like to have her around all the time.
He liked the thought of coming home to find her making dinner, like the day he left Ethan with her and they made dinner for him. That had been his favorite day.
Troy shook himself from his thoughts and smiled. "Let's go in. Did you bring a song to sing for your audition?"
Gabriella smiled. "Shout to the Lord by Linda Davis."
Troy nodded as they walked in. Gabriella walked up to the stage while he went to the sound system and put in the CD. She stood up on the stage breathing in and out, trying to calm her nerves. When the music started, she listened for her cue to start.
My Jesus, my Savior; Lord there is none like you; All of my days I want to praise; The wonders of Your mighty love;
Troy listened to the tone and smoothness of Gabriella's voice and smiled.
My comfort, my shelter; Tower of refuge and strength; Let every breath, all that I am; Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing; Power and majesty, praise to the King; Mountains bow down and the seas will roar; At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands; Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand; Nothing compares to the promise I have in You
Troy listened to Gabriella's voice soar, smiling. After the chorus he turned off the music. "Wow, Brie! Your voice is amazing!"
Gabriella blushed. "Thanks."
Troy shook his head, blown away by her humility. He went up to the stage smiling. "Do you play any instruments?"
Gabriella shook her head. "No. I'm not that talented."
Troy only shook his head, but before he could correct her, the gang came in. "Hey, Cap! How did the audition go", Chad asked as he bounded up the steps looking between Troy and Gabriella.
Troy's smile spread across his face, then he looked at Sharpay. "Is there room over there with you and Martha?"
Sharpay jumped up and down squealing gleefully. "Of course, there's room for one more!"
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On Sunday, Gabriella happily stood with her boyfriend and all her new friends, singing about the power of God. She put aside her nerves about singing a solo.
Troy waited until after their first practice to tell her that, as a new band member, she had to sing a solo. After Gabriella almost hyperventilated, they had decided to schedule that for the next week to allow her to get used to singing in front of the congregation.
The band did four songs before Pastor Charlie took over. After church, everyone went to Troy's place for a Sunday cook out. His parents were there along with the Wildcats, the Danforths and the Evans.
Gabriella stayed close to Troy, bringing him a platter and all the spices he needed to grill some food, but, at one point Pastor Charlie got her alone.
"Gabriella", he started, getting her attention as she walked around, socializing. He walked to her so he wouldn't be so loud. "You have a lovely voice. You're a wonderful addition to our praise band." He was singing her praises.
She blushed, smiling, not knowinknowing how to take the compliment. "Thank you, Pastor. That's very sweet."
The pastor smiled. "It's true. Pastors don't lie."
Gabriella and Charlie laughed together at his joke and that's how Troy found them. Laughing.
Troy smiles, loving Gabriella's laugh. He hooks an arm around Gabriella's waist leaning in to kiss her lips softly, getting lost in her eyes for a minute. Seeing that things had just taken a different turn, Charlie left the young couple alone.
Troy pecked Gabriella's lips, smiling. "What did I walk up on? What were you and Pastor Charlie laughing at?"
"He complimented my singing and when I said thank you he said pastors don't lie." She made herself giggle again.
Troy just enjoyed the sound.