Chapter 37
In the wake of the time stopping moment of speechlessness on both sides, to the emphatically expressed "Damn!" uttered in a singular voice, Chad, Taylor, Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Zeke, Ryan and Kelsi where all finally released from their spell, once again able to be themselves.
"You girls look so beyond amazingly beautiful that there is just no easy way to put it into words," Troy finally stated with complete unwavering sincerity, knowing that he spoke from the heart for each of the other guys.
"He's right," Chad agreed breathlessly, the first among them to reach out and take his girlfriend's hand in his, leading her out onto the porch to his side. "There's no way to describe the pride I feel, we all feel, in knowing you ladies will be on our arms tonight."
"Awww Chad," Taylor sighed, as she glided past Troy and the others toward the light in Chad's eyes she had never seen before, accentuated by the mysteriousness of the masque he wore.
"The same goes for me as well," Zeke said, taking hold of Sharpay's hand with loving gentleness. "If I thought before that cooking was my true passion, I now can see how utterly cluessless I truly was."
Sharpay beamed from ear to ear feeling even more beautiful than she had imagined herself to be.
"Kelsi you're a dream come true," Ryan declared, realizing for the first time just how much of herself she'd hidden from him and the rest of the world all this time. "I'm thrilled and honored to be the one lucky enough to be your escort for the evening."
Kelsi blushed from head to toe, allowing herself to be led out into the night in all her Cinderella-like glory.
Troy just stood there staring at Gabriella for a moment longer, unable to believe that he was the one this amazing beauty had choosen to give her heart too. And to think he'd told Chad he didn't know what the future held in store for them, when all the answer he needed was now gazing up at him with lovely big brown eyes.
"Are you okay babe?" Gabriella asked softly, the sensation of Troy's gaze upon her almost more than she could take, the open depth of his love for her there for all to see.
"Yeah...I'm fine," he stated, giving her a smile that seemed to light up the night. "More than fine."
"Good," Brie said, giving him her hand which he captured in his, never wanting to let go of it ever again.
"So...I guess this means we all passed inspection," Taylor joked, snuggled up against Chad whose beauty and sensuality where driving her absolutely crazy.
"And then some," Sharpay said, her knees still slightly weak from the impression Zeke had made on her at first sight in all his tuxedoed glory. "I had no idea you guys would rival us in being as gorgeous as you all are."
"I second that," Kelsi chimed in, her heart racing at the sight of a Ryan Evans she'd never known, one who was far more than just Sharpay's talented, often times side-kick brother.
"Well all I know is that I will surely have to hurt any girl tonight who even dares to think she's getting a single moment near Chad without me around," Taylor teased, drinking in the scent of his colonge. "Can you say meeting in the ladies room?"
Everyone started laughing, while Chad just shook his head, thinking the very same thing about her and other guys himself.
"So is everyone ready to get this party started?" Zeke asked, as he began walking Sharpay down the stairs.
"You know it!" Troy said, following his lead, as did Chad with Taylor and Ryan with Kelsi. "Tonight is going to be a night to remember because Wildcats will truly be in the house!"
A short time later, as the six of them emerged onto the pathway leading to the main lodge, they began to encounter their fellow classmates along the way, all looking equally spectacular in their tuxedos and red dresses, each with a masque upon their face.
There was an undeniable sense of heightened excitement and vibrant anticipation among them all, as compliments were paid from every direction, hi-fives and thumbs up were given without care, and howls and whistles could be heard over all of Colton's Bay. Everyone it seemed was in a wonderfully festive mood, ready for a night of intoxicating fun.
By the time the mass exodus of seniors had finally begun arriving at the main lodge, all were a bit surprised at what they found awaiting them. The masive doors to the entrace were closed. The stairway leading inside was covered by a red carpet, a velvet rope stretched across. Above it was a large red banner that read "Senior Weekend 2007 Masquerade Ball" pitched between the two large pillars that adorned the walkway.
Just beyond that point, up on the landing above, stood Principal Matthews, Coach Bolton and Mr. Wilson, all dressed in the same tuxedos as those being worn by each of the senior boys. Stationed at either side of the three were Mrs. Bolton and Ms. Phillips, each in lovely red creations of their own, holding baskets adorned with red and white ribbon, filled with what looked to be some type of program.
"What' going on Sharpay?" Kelsi whispered, wondering why they weren't being allowed inside.
"Yeah, why the hold up?" Troy questioned, as he saw a group of senior girls checking him out over Gabriella's shoulder. One of them waved and another blew him a kiss.
"Beats me," Sharpay replied, realizing that she'd been left out of the loop when it came to this part of the event. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Chad and Taylor, two of the most stunning of the senior couples that night, were laughing and whispering to one another, lost in their own little world for the moment, not the least bit concerned that they were all standing around like a herd of cattle. Marissa spied them from the other side of the crowd and wanted to spit nails. Not only did Chad look drop dead sexy tonight, but he was so gone for Taylor that nothing and no one else seemed to matter to him. Just seeing them together so happy and in love made her forget that she was on the arm of the football captain, the envy of most of her friends.
Just then one of the doors opened and Mrs. Darbus stepped out looking like a giant red tomato in her own ode to red, causing many of the seniors to snicker into their hands.
"Quiet everyone. Quiet," she commanded to the excited crowd. "I need to have your attention up front please."
Taylor, Chad and the others turned their attention to the one person who'd been able to turn homeroom into a dreaded class, and waited patiently for her annoucement.
"Welcome one, welcome all to the 2007 Senior Weekend Masquerade Ball!"
Everyone began cheering with applause.
"This is going to be a special night for all of you, but I must first inform of the conduct that is exepcted of each and everyone who enters through these doors."
A tiny wave of groans rippled through the anxious crowd.
"First...no inappropriate or lewd behavior of any fashion will be tolerated at this evening's affair. You are to carry yourselves like the well mannered young ladies and gentlemen I know you can be. Secondly...no one is to leave the ball without permission from a chaperone. Anyone found wandering about the grounds without proper permission will face serious consequences. Last, but not least, you will all enter into the main lodge two at a time in an orderly fashion. Mrs. Bolton and Ms. Phillips will provide you with programs which outline the events we have planned during the course of the ball. Now everyone have a marvelous time."
The crowd erupted into another round of rousing applause, as Coach Bolton came down the stairs to take down the velvet rope, while Principal Matthews and Mr. Wilson pulled opened the main doors. Suddenly a rush of light and music came pouring out into the night as the seniors could hear the sound of Rowdy Ricky beckoning them to come inside and get their party on.
Grabbing Taylor's hand, Chad manuevered them into position behind Troy and Gabriella, with Zeke, Sharpay, Kelsi and Ryan in tow. As they passed Troy's parents to their left, Mrs. Bolton smiled proudly handing each girl a program, telling them all how beautiful they looked, while Coach Bolton gave each of his guys a hi-five as they escorted their girlfriends up the red carpeted stairway to the beat of Fergie's The Glamorous Life.
Once inside, all of them were floored at how the lodge had been transformed into the ultimate show palace. There were shimmery red, white and gold balloon bouquets everywhere they looked, a twirling disco ball spinning from the ceiling above. There were flashing lights amid a soft mist lightly dusting the floor, pouring out from behind the stage where Rowdy Ricky in all his glory was sporting a white tux, signaling them all to come on in.
The tables were set up night club style with linen table clothes and beautiful red and white flower arrangements in crystal vases as center pieces. In the far corner was a long buffet table steaming with delicious aroma, at the end of which was a sparkling punch fountain, an ice sculpture at its middle. All of the walls were adorned with hundreds of tiny lights that twinkled like stars in the heavens.
"This is amazing," Taylor said in awe, holding onto Chad's arm as they made their way toward a table near the middle of the room. "I can't believe they did all this for us."
"Neither can I," Gabriella said, as Troy moved her in the direction their best friends were headed. "This place doesn't even look the same from when we were here at breakfast."
"That's the whole point Brie," Sharpay pointed out, Zeke's hands at her waist as they followed behind the others. "What good would a masquarade ball be if we had it some place that looked like we just chowed down on scrambled eggs and bacon?"
"It's absolutely gorgeous," Kelsi gushed, holding Ryan's hand, unable to stop looking around like a kid at Christmas.
They all were nearly at the table Chad had picked out for them to sit at, when Jason and Marcie suddenly crossed their path.
"Dude! Where you been?" Zeke asked, stopping to pat his friend on the back. "By the time we were ready to go you had gone."
"Yeah..I had to go pick up Marcie," Jason said, smiling in the petite redhead's direction.
"Hey Marcie," Zeke said with a friendly smile. "You look great."
"Thanks Zeke," Marcie blushed. "You do too. And Sharpay, you look amazingly lovely."
"Yes I do don't I," Sharpay said without modesty. "Nothing like haute couture to bring out the best in a girl don't you agree?"
"You two are going to join us aren't you?" Troy asked over his shoulder, as he saw Chad and Taylor finally reach their table a few feet away.
"Sure we are," Jason stated, taking Marcie's hand and pulling her along to sit with his friends.
After everyone had found their seats and gotten comfortable, they took a moment to observe the scene before them, as the rest of the seniors made their entrances and located their tables for the night. Rowdy Ricky was waving and hi-fiving to everyone who passed the stage, one side of a pair of headphones pressed to his ear.
As more and more people entered the room the volume inside the lodge rose a few more notches, filled with laughter and non-stop chatter from every end. Chaperones were stationed all about, moving through the crowd to ensure that things were remaining in somewhat orderly fashion.
After a few minutes of talking among their friends, Chad turned to Taylor with a smile, leaning in with his arm draped across the back of her chair.
"Are you happy tonight baby?" he asked, watching her eyes sparkle from behind her milky white masque. "Is senior weekend everything you hoped it would be?"
"Better," Taylor responded, giving him a tiny kiss. "This is just icing on the cake."
Chad laughed. "I thought I was the icing for you?"
Taylor shook her head and gave him a sexy smile as she ran a finger slowly across his beautiful jawline.
"Oh no. You are far more than icing. You're the cake and the filling too," she said kissing him again, only this time letting her lips linger against his a little longer.
"Okay you two cut it out," Troy groaned playfully with a laugh. "We've got all night for that lovey-dovey stuff. Right now what we need to do is get up on the dance floor and put all that money spent on Rowdy Ricky to good use."
"Heeeeeeey!" Gabriella said with a laugh, standing up in her seat, ready to hit the scene. "It's time to shake our booty's everybody!"
"Let's do this!" Zeke said, taking Sharpay's hand and lifting her up out of her seat. "What time is it ya'll?"
"It's party time!" They cheered in unison just as Timbaland and JT came over the speakers to help them get their groove on.
Chad and Taylor watched as one by one their friends got up from the table and headed to the dance floor.
"Later?" Chad said with a wink, standing up and holding out his hand.
"Later," Taylor nodded with a smile as she started moving her hips while being led into the cheering crowd of her ready to party peers.
An Hour And A Half Later...
The masquerade ball was in full swing and everyone was having the time of their lives. After the first round of dancing, the group made it's way to the buffet table for a variety of delectable finger foods, filling up glasses from the sparkling punch fountain. Once back at the table, they continued to laugh and talk about what a great night it was and how they couldn't believe that tomorrow they'd be returning home. Everything about their senior weekend had been perfect and no one wanted it to end.
"I'm telling you dude, come Monday morning we're going to be mad hated on after we tell people what went down up here this weekend," Zeke stated, popping a delicious morsel of pastry wrapped shrimp into his mouth. "Nobody's gonna believe all the fun we've had."
"Yep," Troy agreed, nuzzling Gabriella's neck as he reached onto her plate to snatch up a piece of a spicy terriyaki chicken roll. "There's definitely going to be some major hating going on for sure."
"And of course the faculty will be planning on how soon they can erect a statute in Sharpay's honor for single-handedly becoming the queen coordinator of senior weekend," Taylor teased, feeding Chad a taste of sweet and sour skewered beef, as he seductively licked some of the sauce from the tips of her fingers.
"Well they just better be," Sharpay declared jokingly, taking a sip of punch. "After all the hard work and time I invested into this thing I deserve to have an entire wing at East High named after me."
"Gee Shar...you don't want much do you?" Gabriella laughed, smacking Troy's hand lightly, as he went in for another piece of her terriyaki roll.
"Yeah sis, why not just ask for the keys to the city too while you're at it," Ryan suggested, taking his napkin and gently wiping a tiny spot of hot mustard off Kelsi's lower lip.
"Don't think I won't," Sharpay admitted, popping a juicy piece of mango into her mouth. "One way or another this girl is getting payback for being true to her school."
"Well as long as they wait until after we graduate to get the monument to your worhisp up and ready to be seen and adored on a daily basis, it's all fine by me," Chad laughed, as Taylor playfully elbowed him in the stomach.
"If you ask me, I really don't see how next year's prom is going to ever be able to top all of this," Marcie chimed in, leaning up against Jason. "To my recollection nobody in all of East High's history has ever had a senior weekend to rival this one."
"Thank you Marcie," Sharpay said with a satisfied smile. "It's nice to hear an objective party point out the obvious."
Just then their conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Darbus going up on stage to stand by Rowdy Ricky with microphone in hand. The DJ took advantage of the interlude by doing a little dance around their teacher that had the crowd roaring with laughter.
"Man would you get a load of that. Mrs. Darbus has an admirer," Chad stated with a snicker, pointing at the way Rowdy Ricky was pop locking behind the blushing older woman. "I think she's feeling him."
Everyone at the table began cracking up.
Once Mrs. Darbus was able to get the DJ off of her while she blushed like crazy, she held up her hands for another announcement.
"May I have your attention please. Would everyone who is on the floor dancing right now please take your seats and the following five couples come up to the stage: Chad and Taylor, Kelsi and Ryan, Marissa and Brad, Troy and Gabriella, Laura and Duncan."
"Uh oh...what did we do now?" Chad whispered into Taylor's ear as they, Troy, Gabriella, Kelsi and Ryan got out of their seats. "Whatever it is baby you just tell her that you did it okay?"
Taylor laughed taking his hand. "You're so silly. Come on."
When all the pairings had come to the front of the room, Mrs. Darbus had them line up side by side before returning to the microphone.
"Now, as you all remember, we asked you to turn in ballots 20 minutes ago to vote for your choice of best dressed couple of the evening and here standing before you are the winners and runner-ups."
Catcalls, whistles and howls thundered through the enormous room.
"As you know, the winners of tonight's event will be awarded a senior prom exclusive package which includes a dress for the young lady, a suit or tuxedo for the young man, limo service, dinner at the finest restauarnt in town, a corsage, and breakfast after the prom for them and six of their friends. The runners up will receieve one of these prizes of their choosing as a couple, not individually. So without further adieu..."
Rowdy Ricky let loose a simulated drum roll from his console.
"Our fifth place winning couple is...Laura and Duncan!"
There was moderate applause and cheering.
"Next...our fourth place winning couple is...Troy and Gabriella!"
Both looked at each other with a smile and went to stand off to the side next to Laura and Duncan amid a rousing round of applause.
"Now for our third place couple...Ryan and Kelsi!"
Kel looked like she was about to faint on the spot she was still unable to believe that they'd made it up there to begin with. Ryan put an arm around her waist and walked her toward Troy and Brie. Chad and Taylor and Marissa and Brad were the only two other couples left standing.
"And now for our second place couple...Mr. Ricky can I please have another drumroll," Mrs. Darbus requested in a flirty voice that brought forth more cheers and whistles from the crowd.
"Marissa and Brad!"
The room suddenly went wild as people began applauding like crazy when they realized that Chad and Taylor were the winning couple. Marissa wanted to kill them both right there on the spot.
"Us?" Taylor asked, not sure she'd heard right.
"Yes baby us," Chad said taking her into his arms for a hug, as everyone stood up in rousing congratulations. "Didn't I tell you that you looked beyond amazing tonight? Maybe next time you'll believe me."
"Oh wow! This is great! We get to have an all expenses paid prom with a limo and everything," Taylor gushed, as Mrs. Darbus stepped down from the stage with Rowdy Ricky's assistance, to place a bouquet of red and white roses into her arms.
"Congratulations Taylor and Chad. Your classmates have dubbed you the Prince and Belle of this year's senior weekend masquerade ball."
"Thank you so much," Taylor said, accepting the flowers into her arms.
"No need to thank me dear," Mrs. Darbus said, gently patting Taylor's arm. "You are truly a vision of beauty in a room filled with loveliness."
"I couldn't agree with you more," Chad stated full of pride, shaking his teacher's hand.
"Now, you two have the floor for a spotlight dance," Mrs. Darbus said, stepping away as the lights slowly dimmed and the sound of a Mariah Carey love ballad began to fill the room.
The other couples were directed back to their seats. Before heading toward their table, Gabriella passed by and took Taylor's bouquet from her ams with a smile and kiss on the cheek followed by a thrilled hug from Kelsi. Troy gave Chad a hi-five and Ryan offered a pat on the back. Brad rolled his eyes as Marissa, the only one furious at the outcome, stomped off in disgust. Then it was just Chad and Taylor facing one another alone. They stared into the other's eyes lovingly for a moment, before slowly drifting into each other's arms to begin moving around the floor to cheering appreciation from their friends and classmates.
"Don't they look beautiful together?" Gabriella sighed, placing the roses on the table at her return, as she snuggled into Troy's arms to watch the happy couple with everyone else.
"Yeah they sure do," Troy agreed with a nod, noticing over his shoulder that Zeke was whispering something into the ear of an obviously disappointed Sharpay.
Out on the floor, Chad and Taylor were lost in their own world, even though they knew all eyes were upon them. Holding each other close, they savored this most special of moments, a keepsake of yet another memory to add to all the others that had made this weekend of firsts more special than either could put into words.
Just as the dance came to an end, Taylor and Chad both smiled at each other tenderly and mouthed 'I love you', before turning to face their audience who were yelling and screaming their names. Both started laughing as they made their way back to their table, amid a flurry of congratulations from everyone they passed.
"You two were great!" Kelsi gushed, hugging Taylor again before Chad helped her back into her seat.
"You guys were awesome!" Gabriella said reaching across to squeeze Taylor's hand. "I still can't believe you won the whole prom package."
"Neither can I," her best friend said, still in disbelief.
"Yeah man congrats," Zeke said giving Chad the thumbs up. "Nice job."
Taylor suddenly noticed Sharpay's lack of enthusiam for their win and wondered if she was upset that she and Zeke hadn't even been nominated. On the verge of asking her friend if she was okay, Taylor's words were halted before they came out by Mrs. Darbus and her microphone.
"Alright everyone. Before we continue with the rest of the ball, I have one more annoucement to make. Actually it's to give out an award."
The room grew silent as all eyes turned in her direction once again.
"As you all can very well see for yourselves this ball was a huge undertaking. Many many people put countless time and effort into making it the thing of beauty you see before you now. So I would like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to Lucy Bolton, Coach Bolton's wife, and Ms. Phillips and her sister Abbey for all their dedication to making this evening the wonderful event it has truly turned out to be. However, it is with the greatest appreciation and at the insistence of the entire chaperone committee that we reserved the biggest thank you to the one among you who selflessly gave of themself 200 to make this entire weekend, not just tonight, the success that we all can clearly see it has been. Therefore, it is with great pleasure and pride that we ask all of you to stand up and give a much deserved round of applause to the young lady whose heart is at the center of all you've enjoyed. Miss Sharpay Evans!"
The room exploded into a deafening melee of sound as a stunned Sharpay looked on completely speechless.
"Yah Shar!" Taylor screamed, running over to hug her friend as did Gabriella and Kelsi.
"That's my girl! That's my girl!" Zeke said pointing with pride in Sharpay's direction. "Go on up babe and take your bow."
"Yeah sis, go get your props," Ryan said, giving her a kiss on the cheek, as he pushed her forward to make her way through the cheering crowd.
"Yep! You go girl!" Chad and Troy said in unison clapping in all sincerity.
Suddenly Sharpay's face lit up as she realized that her moment of disappointment only seconds before had been replaced by full blown respect and adoration from her peers. When she finally reached the front, Mrs. Darbus handed her a beautiful plague and her own armful of roses.
"Well done Miss Evans. Well done."
"Thank you," Sharpay said, drinking in the love for her that filled the room.
She stared out into the crowd of smiling faces with an overwhelmed heart. To be here like this before all the people she cared about and to be recognized as she was lifted her to a sense of accomplishment that being apart of a show had never given her. Then with a smile she raised her plaque in one hand and her roses in the other and shouted, "Hey DJ, now lets really get this party started! Wildcats get on up here and show Rowdy Ricky what you're working with !"