Chapter 37: Here's To…

Gabriella sighed as she walked onto the sand, board in hand. She thought it was stupid that Sharpay felt she needed to prove herself, but whatever.

"Ugh. There she is. Okay, Ryan, give me the microphone!" Sharpay snagged the microphone from Ryan's hands. He just rolled his eyes and backed away.

"Alright, people! Here's how it's going to work: Gabriella and I are going to surf and you guys are going to decide who wins by applause. Whoever you think does the best – and be fair – just cheer for the most! Simple, right? So…let's start the Battle of the Boards!"

Gabriella picked up her board and approached the water. She was stopped by a manicured hand blocking her chest.

"Um, I'm going first." Sharpay scoffed and proceeded to enter the water. Sharpay had been right, the waves were pretty decent.

A few boys hooted Sharpay as she strutted into the water and mounted her board. Gabriella almost burst out in a fit of laughter when she heard the DJ start up some music you'd hear in a war movie. Sharpay was out to win this.

Gabriella had to hand it to her – when it came down to the popularity contest, Sharpay knew how to handle herself. She was appealing, skilled, and let's not forget that she's the one hosting this party. Gabriella might actually have to try tonight.

Sharpay was graced with a wonderful wave – some people gapsed, other hooted even more. The music intensified, and Sharpay stood on her feet. She swooped into the wave with commendable grace, and pulled it off. She even did a little jig after hitting stable water.

Gabriella smirked – she loved a challenge. She ran to the water, looking back to see Troy, Taylor and Chad cheering her on. The music returned to the party's previous dance theme, and the volume was lowered, which ticked Gabriella off a little. No drama for her. She mounted her board as she usually would, but was surprised and momentarily distracted by how dark it was in the water. She could only barely see the thin horizon, where the darkness met the inky waters. She shook this thought off, however. All she had to do was ride a wave without falling, right?

The water began rising, and Gabriella paddled towards it. She reached the peak and got to her feet. She smiled – it had been too long since she'd last surfed. She bent her knees, and shivered slightly when the cold water spraying her body. The water curled over her, and she decided that she'd give a little move a try. She twisted her body to angle the board at a slope, and slid into a sitting position just before she exited the tube. Now, all the crowd would see was her, gliding out of the water, as comfortable as ever.

She grinned at the cheers she received for her trick. When she hit a calmer area, she rolled of her board straight into the water. When she resurfaced, Troy was splashing over to her. Taylor and Chad were close behind, waiting at the shore.

"Gabriella!" Troy yelled to her. She forgot all about everybody around her.

Gabriella noticed that he was still in his pants. "Troy, you're getting all wet!"

Troy ignored her. "You did so awesome! Okay, let's go walk around again so everyone knows you're my girlfriend." He kissed her, and she laughed to hide her blush.

She came out of the water and planted her board into the sand to await the 'results'.

"Okay, people!" Ryan's voice echoed through the speakers. "It's 11:55! Time to vote before the few minutes before the New Year!"

With mostly everyone gathered in one place, it was hard to believe so many people had been at the party in the first place.

"Okay ladies and guys! Cheer for the truly ultimate surfer! Is it…Sharpay Evans?" Ryan directed the microphone towards the crowd. The fanfare was quite impressive.

"Alright…or is it…Gabriella Montez?" Ryan pumped up the crowd, Gabriella appreciated his effort. The praise was about the same. Ryan looked slightly undecided. He wanted to announce Gabriella as the winner because she deserved it, but Sharpay would surely kill him if he did. He looked around the crowd, slightly desperate, and caught Gabriella's eye.

She sighed, and nodded to him. Ryan smiled both thankfully and apologetically.

"OK! Sounds to me like the winner is…Sharpay!"

Sharpay was waiting behind him, and ran up on the small stage to take the microphone. Gabriella ran through the crowd towards her, knowing exactly how much Sharpay would play this victory up.

Sharpay squealed, "Well everyone, I just want to thank –" Sharpay was cut off by the microphone being pulled out of her hands by the chord. She looked down to see Gabriella there, smirking.

"Gabriella!" Sharpay stooped down to eye level with her. "What are you doing? Give me the mike!"

Gabriella smiled. "Fine. But if you make a big deal out of this, I'll tell everyone you use zit cream!"

Sharpay covered her mouth to smother her gasp. "How did you… Well, whatever." She grabbed the mike and simply said. "Have a fabulous New Year!" With that, she walked off stage.

Gabriella chuckled. She turned around, to find herself face to face with a very gorgeous boy. She waited for her heart to steady before she spoke.

"Hi." She said.

"Hi." Said Troy. He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Since you're in you're the real winner, and you're still in your bathing suit, and I'm dripping, why don't we go sit on the beach?"

Gabriella took his hand, and pulled him towards the sand.

Their hands still connected, they sat next to where Gabriella had planted her surfboard. Gabriella leaned on Troy's shoulder. A breeze blew past them, and Gabriella shivered. Troy removed his jacket and wrapped it around her. She slid onto his right leg so she was on his lap. He cradled her in his arms, and she felt instantly warmer. Troy kissed her cheek, and then her neck, and then the hollow behind her ear from behind.

"I love you." He whispered.

Her hands found his. She stared out into the ocean, and squirmed her toes into the sand. They were silent for a moment.

"You really love it, don't you?" Troy asked.

Gabriella turned herself to she was sitting sideways on his lap.

"What?"

"Surfing."

"Yeah, I do." She looked out once more. "But I don't think…you know I don't think it will stick. I've always loved the ocean, and I always will… but…" Gabriella paused, and sighed. She was glad it was dark enough that Troy couldn't see her blushing. "Okay, can I say something really cheesy?"

Troy chuckled. "Please."

Gabriella smiled. "Before I met you, my life was totally made up with surfing and work. And then we started hanging out and I realized how cool it is to just have a normal life. Remember that really huge surf competition I won a while back?"

Troy nodded. "The reason why we're here, pretty much."

Gabriella smiled. "Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, I was totally convinced that I wasn't going to win because I was so used to training full time, all the time, and I had been spending so much time with you… Anyway, point is that I still won. So, I was thinking that I can still love the water, but still have an ordinary life."

"You make my life extraordinary." He took her face in one hand and kissed her.

She turned so she straddling him, careful not to disconnect their lips. She took each of his hands in her own and raised them above his head. She pushed him down so he was lying against the sand.

"Ten…nine…eight…" The countdown began.

Gabriella sat up raised her hand that held Troy's.

"Here's to the New Year."

Troy kissed their hands.

"Here's to everyday we're together after the next three…two…one seconds. Happy New Year."

And they kissed for the first (but certainly not the last) time that year.