SERENDIPITY

THIRTY-FIVE

~ Saturday 31st December, 2011 ~

Taylor's apartment was filled with the sounds of Top 40 music playing from the radio, one of the radio stations counting down the midnight with a countdown of most requested songs of the year. There was only four of them at their party, but there was only four needed. They'd eaten dinner, talked, laughed, exchanged stories and now, they were seated in the living area with just an hour left until the clock would strike midnight and 2011 would be in the past. Troy and Gabriella were curled up down one end of the sofa. The guys were drinking beer and Taylor had been making frozen margaritas for herself and Gabriella. None of them were drunk but it was a fun, happy buzz. Gabriella had accidentally spilled a little margarita on her top and Troy had made a public show of cleaning it up.

"Eww, there are people here," Chad joked.

"I cannot get over how cute you guys are together!" Taylor gushed.

"I know," Troy declared proudly, squeezing Gabriella's hand.

"You'll have to excuse Taylor, she's clearly gone insane," Chad remarked. "Finding your PDA to be 'cute.'"

"If it's the P part of the PDA that makes you uncomfortable, we can go in the guest room now, if you want?" Troy offered.

Gabriella thwacked him on the chest. "Very presumptive of you!"

Troy mocked being hurt, rubbing his chest where she'd hit him. "Ouch, babe!"

"Oh, I like you, keeping Bolton in line," Chad said approvingly.

The group had formed an immediate camaraderie. Gabriella and Taylor gelled so instantaneously, it was as though they were destined to be close friends. Chad was a fan of anyone who made Troy happy and there was no questioning the delirious happiness that was emanating from Troy, the beaming expression every moment he was in Gabriella's presence, the hungry look he would give her when she went into another room and then returned to his side.

When the clock struck midnight and they watched the delayed telecast of the ball dropping in Times Square, both couples in the room went quiet, kissing each other softly to ring in the new year.

"Happy New Year," Troy murmured.

"Happy New Year," Gabriella said softly in return.

"Are you excited for 2012?" he queried, cupping her chin.

"A month ago if you'd asked me that question, I would've said not particularly. But now... I'm ecstatic."

"A year for happiness?"

"Mm-hmm. I hope so."

The moment was interrupted by Chad yanking them apart. "Enough sweet nothings, Happy New Year, guys!"

Handshakes, hugs and kisses on the cheek were exchanged between them all, before fresh drinks were brought out and in a tipsy stupor, the conversation turned serious.

"Do you guys have resolutions this year?" Taylor asked, looking around at everyone.

"I make resolutions every year, they never happen though," Chad remarked, rolling his syes.

"Then maybe you should have one of your resolutions be to see through your resolutions," Troy joked.

"I do," Gabriella offered. All eyes looked at her, Troy squeezed her thigh. "I want to start studying part time, do my graduate studies. I really don't want to keep in this particular role at Inspire, and anything I want to move into will be more likely to happen if I get further qualification."

"That's a great resolution," Troy said, nodding enthusiastically.

"Troy's resolution should be to work less," Chad laughed.

Troy rolled his eyes. "Shut up."

"I want to see my family more," Taylor declared. "I haven't seen my parents in like, nine months."

"I think my parents are gonna come here soon," Troy said with a slight groan.

"Really?" Gabriella asked, eyebrows raised.

"Mom mentioned it sort of off the cuff last time we spoke."

"How are Jack and Lucy? Have you told them you're a taken man now?" Chad asked.

"Um, not yet..." Troy said carefully, glancing at Gabriella beside him.

"Don't worry, I haven't told my mom yet," Gabriella said, squeezing his leg. "But she knows me pretty well... she's going to suspect something is up so... I'll probably tell her. I want to tell her. She's my mom, you know?"

"Troy's never been good at lying to his parents, I bet he'll spill," Chad chuckled.

They stayed up talking and laughing until 1am, phones buzzing with 'Happy New Year' text messages coming through from family and friends. It was Taylor who began to yawn first, and then Gabriella conceded that perhaps they should think about hitting the sack. She and Troy had already stowed overnight bags in the guest room. While Gabriella helped Taylor to clear away their empty gasses and plates of nibbles, Troy headed into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Gabriella was gathering her own overnight bag just a couple of minutes later, and stepped into the bathroom just as Troy was finishing up. He pressed a light kiss to her lips.

"Mm, you're minty fresh," she commented with a smile.

"Just the way you like it," he teased, and gave her another quick kiss for good measure. "I'll be waiting for you."