AN:Sadly, this is the final chapter before my two-part epilogue. I almost split this in two, though, because it turned out to be around 13 typed pages, but hopefully you ll don't mind too much, considering I tried not to overload on imagery and shot for more dialogue, but hopefully it's all good. Also, please read my message at the end. It's very important.
Disclaimer: HSM is not mine, nor is "1 2 3 4" by the Plain White Tees and "Look After You" by the Fray is not mine.
Today was it. It was one of the two days Gabriella had been dreading yet anticipating for months. Prom. However, also, exactly one month from this day she would be graduating. She did her best to hide it, but everyone knew she was afraid. Everything was moving much too fast for her liking, but it wasn't slowing down at all. Everyone was going in separate directions after graduation. As far as she knew, she would only have three people who would still be in Albuquerque: Sharpay, Chad and Troy. She could've gone to anywhere in the world for college, but she didn't want to leave, especially if it meant being separated from Troy. She knew that neither could survive anymore long-term separations...
Sighing, Gabriella flipped her hair over one shoulder, examining her face closely in the mirror. Doing her best to not think about it, she dabbed her finger in her cover-up and applied it skillfully over the long scar going across her face. She was glad that, over the last few months, her scars were fading. At least, her physical scars were. However, she knew she would never forget where each was located no matter how visible they were. They left permanent marks on her heart, and those were impossible to forget.
A gentle knock on the door startled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she beckoned as Sharpay entered.
"Wow, Gabi, you look gorgeous," Sharpay complimented. Gabriella almost chuckled, for her friend was, as predicted,wearing pink, sequins and flare. It was typical for Sharpay, but Gabriella wouldn't have her any other way. She hadn't thought about it much until recently, but it was strange to her how Sharpay went from being her worst enemy to becoming one of her closest allies. However, Lance and Veronica made Sharpay look like a perfect angel all along in her opinion.
"Thanks, you look really good yourself," she replied, smiling. "Zeke won't be able to keep his hands off you."
"That's everyday," she said, smirking slightly. "So, what are your plans with Troy tonight?"
Gabriella shrugged. "All I know is that Troy, Chad and Zeke are coming to pick up me, Taylor and you about an hour or so before the dance, which will be roughly forty-five minutes from now."
"Do you think he'll finally kiss you tonight?" Sharpay asked her.
Frowning, she shook her head. "He's so obsessed with not kissing me....He still touches me every chance he gets, and everything is exactly the same as it was in our "normal" relationship....I don't understand why he won't just kiss me."
"Maybe he thinks kissing is the only true sign of a relationship," she said. "Maybe it seems less real to him by just not kissing you. Maybe he feels less power over you....Maybe he's afraid he'll hurt you again if you get that intimate."
"Shar, are you sure you don't want to switch your major to psychology?" Gabriella teased. "But, I don't think it's so much power anymore...I'm starting to wonder I he's truly scared...."
"Everyone gets scared when they're...in love for the first time," she stated, but Gabriella noticed the contemplative look on her features, as though she was choosing her words carefully. "School's almost done for us and then it's really time for reality. Maybe he's apprehensive about what will become of your relationship now."
"It's not like anything will change," she argued.
"What about marriage and kids someday? I'm sure both of you will want that," Sharpay pointed out. "Once you're out, all of those things will seem closer than ever."
Gabriella shifted her weight uneasily. She was well aware that they wouldn't be teenagers forever. She knew that, someday, her relationship with Troy would become well-beyond boyfriend and girlfriend, provided that he still wanted her for much longer. It was a topic she didn't want to discuss, and she almost hated Sharpay for bringing it up.
"It's still far off," Gabriella argued. "We're still only eighteen. We have plenty of time for that."
'So, hypothetically speaking, if he were to ask you to marry him tomorrow, would you say no?" she questioned.
"He won't ask me to marry him any time soon. That I know for a fact," she stated. "We're not even technically together."
"Anything can happen,"Sharpay replied.
"Unlike you, I can face reality," she retorted, sighing. "Can you zip me up?"
Silently, Sharpay walked over to her and pulled up the zipper on the back of the dress. "I really think Troy is going to try to take your relationship to the next level tonight."
"I miss it...you know," she started. "I always yearn for his affection, and when he's around and not giving that to me, I feel kind of miserable, but I do understand why he needed to take a step back."
"He's only doing it because he doesn't want to hurt you again,"Sharpay replied. "He wants you just as badly, if not more, but he loves you enough that he's looking out for your well-being.
Gabriella sighed. "I guess...but I know he won't hurt me again."
"What makes you so certain?" she questioned. "Gabriella, he could snap again at any given moment."
"But, he won't," she said confidently. "It's one of those unexplainable things...Like my heart is speaking directly to his. There's no doubt in my mind that he doesn't want to hurt me in any way. He never wants to make me cry. And, if he does, I know he doesn't mean to. That's good enough for me."
"I hope you're right, Gabi," Sharpay said as another pair of footsteps came towards them.
"What's going on in here?" Taylor asked, followed by Kelsi. Gabriella smiled at the two, for both of them looking ravishing. They appeared to be almost finished, for all they needed was the finishing touches on their make-up, not that Gabriella felt they needed any. It was Sharpay's thing to cake make-up on not only her own face, but all four of them.
"Nothing," Sharpay replied nonchalantly. "Just what we always talk about."
"You look really beautiful, Gabi," Kelsi complimented.
"Thanks. You guys do, too," Gabriella replied shyly.
"Let's just hope our dates agree," Taylor stated, smirking. "But, Gabi, you'll have nothing to worry about. You could be dressed like a bum and Troy still couldn't keep his hands off of you."
"Oh, but, Taylor, at least Troy doesn't name his basketball," Gabriella argued childishly sticking her tongue out.
"Are you always going to throw that in my face?"Taylor asked her, unable to fight back a smile. She was finally acting like herself again. She seemed less fragile; less broken...Slowly but steadily, she was healing. They were all ware that there was no way she would ever be the girl she once was, but each and every one of them loved her now as much as they did back then if not more.
"It's funny," Gabriella defended. "What's the fun in it if we can't make fun of each other's boyfriends?"
"Okay...fine then," Taylor started, smirking. "Troy reminds me of Romeo. Every time I see him with you, I feel like he's going to start quoting Shakespeare."
"I'd love it if he did," Gabriella replied, smiling innocently. "He can be my Romeo any day."
Taylor rolled her eyes out of amused annoyance. "Moving on to the next boyfriend...Kelsi?"
"Oh gosh, Taylor," Kelsi started, trying not to laugh. "Lay it on me."
"Do you know how to get Jason to mull over one thing for hours on end?" Taylor asked her, smirking.
"Uh...no," she answered nervously.
"Ask him what the product of one hundred and a thousand, then ask him to divide the answer by one hundred," Taylor stated as Gabriella and Sharpay laughed.
"So not nice!" Kelsi complained.
"Come on, Kels. If we can't poke fun at our boyfriends every once in a while, then where's the fun?" Sharpy questioned. "Other than..um...you know...."
"Enough, Shar. No one wants to know the details," Gabriella interrupted her, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Like you and Troy don't have dirty little secrets regarding your relationship," Sharpay replied, causing a slight blush to creep upon Gabriella's cheeks.
"Just what I thought," Sharpay said, smirking in satisfaction.
"Too bad we have no dirt against Zeke," Taylor said, changing the subject. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a chef for a boyfriend. I wouldn't even trust Chad within five feet of a stove...."
"I'm sure he's not that bad,," Kelsi assured her, although unable to fight back smile. "Oh right, he's the one who names basketballs. I see your point now."
Taylor playfully glared at Gabriella as she started laughing. "See what you started?" Taylor told her.
"Sorry, Tay," Gabriella said, although her smile contradicted her words.
"Yeah, whatever...." Taylor retorted. "Let's just finish getting the make-up over with..."
Sharpay squealed excitedly. "You three are going to look fabulous by the time I'm done!"
Taylor groaned. "I better be able to recognize my own face by the time you're done."
Sharpay frowned. "You people have no faith in my abilities..."
Grabbing the tie off of his bed, Troy applied the finishing touches to his ensemble and glanced at the small mirror his mother let him borrow. Now he understood why most guys hated proms. He had spent the past hour showering and getting dressed. On a normal day, this would have taken him a maximum of fifteen-twenty minutes. Frustrating as it seemed, however, he knew that all of his efforts would pay off by the end of the night. After all, he was, in his opinion, going with the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. And, further more, he intended to make her officially his once more.
A light knock on the door snapped him from his thoughts. "Come in," he murmured as Cindy opened the door.
Upon seeing her son, Cindy smiled approvingly. "You look very dashing, Troy."
"Mom, no one says 'dashing' anymore," he replied, chuckling slightly.
"I'm your mother and if I want to say 'dashing', then you'll just have to deal with it," she stated, indignant.
"Fine, whatever," he said, not in the mood for arguing. He was in a good mood, as he always was when he knew he was soon going to see Gabriella. Tonight, however, he felt even happier than that. It was the happiest he thought he had ever been.
"So, what exactly are your plans for tonight?" she asked him.
Troy frowned, for he wasn't sure if she would approve of his decision. However, maybe he should confide in someone before he went through with it... "Well, me, Chad, Zeke and Jason are picking the girls up in about half an hour, then I was going to bring Gabriella back and let you torture us with the camera..."
Cindy laughed at this statement. "Getting pictures is fun. I'm sure Gabriella will want them."
"Yeah, yeah. You women are all the same," he retorted, rolling his eyes.
"I'll tell her you said that," she warned. "But, what other plans do you have?"
"Well, after we leave here we'll go to the dance, and well, dance, I guess. If she wants to..." he stated. "Then, I kind of sort of was hoping for a good moment to ask her to be my official girlfriend again. Or, do you think it's too soon?"
Cindy looked at her son thoughtfully. She knew the two had only been separated, technically, for a few months. Three months, to be exact. Were they ready to restart their relationship? She wished there was a way for everyone to know what was in store for her son's future, but no one knew what would happen in any situation.
"Troy," she started, looking at him sternly. He gulped, for he felt this wasn't going the way she planned. "You know your father and I already love Gabriella like a daughter, and we know she's the only one you want...right now. She makes you happy, we know that. And, you practically think the universe revolves around her...But, are you sure that you're ready to go back to a more intense relationship? Are you sure you can handle your feelings better now?"
"I think so, but I'll never know unless we give it a try," he answered honestly, sitting on the edge of his bed, motioning for her to sit beside him. "If there's one thing therapy has taught me, it's that no human being can be perfect at all times. Everyone has flaws, but when you love someone, you look past it. Like, Gabriella, for example...She's very clingy and over-emotional, both of which she developed mostly due to past experiences...However, I love everything about her, including the traits most people would consider flaws. Flaws and mistakes make us who we are. I might have a short-temper at times, and I'm extremely protective of her, but she still loves me regardless. That's what true love is. You accept someone for who they are inside and out, for better or worse."
Smiling slightly, Cindy placed her hand on his shoulder. "You know how proud your father and I are of you. You're handling this like a mature adult, not like a typical eighteen-year-old."
"Age is only a number," he stated. " I've had to do a lot of growing up to get to where I am right now. I don't even feel like I'm eighteen anymore."
"Well, according to your birth certificate, I gave birth to you almost nineteen years ago," she said.
"So, mom, do you think it's time for me to...you know...get back with Gabriella?" he asked her, getting back on his initial topic.
"What is your heart telling you?" she questioned.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the response he was receiving. Oddly, he felt warm all over, comfortable even. Smiling, he took this as a yes.
As Gabriella suffered her last moments of Sharpay's torture to her hair, the girls heard a vehicle pull up to the side of the house. Gabriella felt her heart lurch, for she recognized the sounds produced by the vehicle in question.
Taylor laughed, looking out the window with Kelsi, for the two were the first to suffer at the hands of Sharpay. "Troy must be anxious. He's here ten minutes early."
"Tell him to wait," Sharpay instructed, wrapping another piece of Gabriella;s hair in the curling iron
Kelsi sighed and started toward the door. Gabriella sighed impatiently before asking, "Are you almost done? I would like to see Troy...."
"He can wait. I'm almost done...."
Outside, Kelsi slowly made her way to Troy as he got out of his truck. "You look beautiful, Kels," he complimented, smiling at the smaller girl.
Kelsi giggled. "Thanks. You look pretty handsome yourself. Gabriella will be very happy."
"Speaking of which, where is she?" he asked.
"Inside, being tortured by Sharpay," she stated. "Sharpay doesn't want you to come in until she's finished, but I think she's almost done."
Troy nodded, shifting nervously on his heels. "She looks absolutely stunning, I know it already."
Kelsi laughed. "She looks very beautiful, Troy. I'll tell you that much."
"She always does," he said, looking to the ground. Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Sharpay.
"We're done now," she said. "I'm sending her out."
Opening his truck door, Troy pulled out a small, rectangular box and a bouquet of red roses. He held the box in front of him and the roses behind his back as he started toward the door. He heard footsteps from inside which he presumed to be Gabriella. Unable to fight back his smile, he opened the door to his full extent, revealing Gabriella. His heartbeat raced and he felt light-headed, for her beauty seemed to take him over. Her hair fell around her face in loose curls while the rest was pulled back. She wore a beautiful, flattering blue dress that hugged her every curve. He wanted nothing more than to hold her close to him and kiss her, but he fought the urge. In just a few short hours, he could kiss her and hold her all he wanted, he reminded himself. Surely he could wait that long.
"You look....amazing," he finally said, his eyes traveling until they met hers.
"You look pretty good, too, wildcat," she relied, smiling warmly. "I can't let you go to prom....I got to keep you to myself."
Chuckling, he pecked her cheek before opening the box, revealing a light blue corset, matching her dress as well as the boutonnière he donned on his tuxedo. Smiling, she held out her wrist as he placed the flower around it.
Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, she said, "Thank you."
"Anything for you, my love," he replied, pulling the bouquet out in plain site. "These are also yours."
Beaming, Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck. "You are the sweetest boyfriend in history!"
Chuckling, he said, "I'm not your boyfriend, officially...yet."
"Then, call it friends with benefits." Without warning, Gabriella pressed her lips to his, surprised when she felt him kiss her back, It didn't last long, however. Maybe five seconds, but it was enough for them.
"That was...unexpected," he said, grinning as they looped arms. "But, I loved it."
Gabriella giggled. "That was the purpose."
From inside the building, Green Grove Gardens, Gabriella glanced around at the red and white decorations filling the room. Butterflies filled her stomach as Troy led her to a vacant table. Out of their friends, they were the first ones there, an there were only a handful of other people there.
"If at any time you want to dance or anything, just say so," he stated, feeling nervous himself. "I'll be honest. I have no dancing experience whatsoever."
"I'm sure you're better than you give yourself credit for," she assured him.
"Yeah....I would promise not to hurt you tonight, but if you pull me out there, well, I can't make any promises...my feet have minds of their own," he stated.
"During the next slow song, you're coming with me," she told him.
"Fine," he said, unable to tell her otherwise. He groaned, for the previous, fast-paced song that was playing came to a close. In its place came a much softer melody.
"Come on," she said, tugging on his hand.
Groaning, he asked, "Can't we wait until the next song?"
Pouting, she aid, "But, this is one of my favorites..."
"You're lucky I love you," he stated, reluctantly following her out to the dance floor. Out of the handful of students, no one was courageous enough to dance until more people came, making Troy feel even more awkward. Gabriella, however, didn't seem to mind.
"Give me more lovin' then I've ever had
Make it all better when I'm feelin' sad
Tell me that I'm special
Even when I know I'm not"
"Ah, One Two Three Four," Troy said, looking thoughtfully. "I see why you would love it. I like it, too."
"Does that mean you'll sing it to me?" she asked innocently.
"Maybe one day I'll surprise you," he replied, smiling as she placed her hands on his shoulders. Her heels provided her with a few extra inches, and so the height difference wasn't as bad. Following suit, he placed his hands just above her hips.
"Make me feel good when I hurt so bad
Barely gettin' mad
I'm so glad I found you
I love bein' around you
You make it easy
It's as easy as one, two
One, two, three, four"
"By the way, this is the only step I know, so..."
Giggling, she told him, "That's okay. I can teach you. Put your right hand on the small of my back and hold my right hand in your left. Then, pull me closer to you."
Doing as instructed, Troy positioned his right hand on her lower back and took her right hand in his left, drawing her into him. He enjoyed the sudden intimacy. "I love the last part."
"I thought you would," she replied, closing her eyes briefly. "I do, too."
"There's only one thing to do
Three words for you
(I love you)
I love you
There's only one way to say
Those three words
That's what I'll do
(I love you)
I love you"
"Now, take a step back, gently pulling me in the direction you want to go," she told him as he did just that. He stepped left, and gently pulled her along with him. "Good, now just keep doing that, and try to step in time with the music."
"Give me more lovin' from the very start
Piece me back together when I fall apart
Tell me things
You never even tell your closest friends
"Make me feel good when I hurt so bad
Best that I've had
I'm so glad I found you
I love bein' around you
You make it easy
It's as easy as one, two
One, two, three, four"
"I'm actually doing it," he commented. "And no one broke any bones yet."
"You're amazing," she complimented, beaming up at him. "I told you you could do it. It's easy."
"There's only one thing to do
Three words for you
(I love you)
I love you
There's only one way to say
Those three words
That's what I'll do
(I love you)
I love you"
"I love you," he murmured, kissing her cheek. She giggled lightly as he raised his arm, prompting her to twirl in which she did, gliding smoothly into his arms.
"I love you, too," she replied. "And, you did very well for your first time, and so you better dance with me more." As she said this, a new song started to play, this one more upbeat. She vaguely recognized it, but she was never found of the style. She hated music that depicted girls as nothing more than sexual objects. Troy knew this, and so he took her hand in his and led her back to where they were previously seated.
"I hate this song," Gabriella stated, scowling at the floor as Troy put his arm around her.
"I do, too," he agreed, looking at her sincerely. "After falling in love with you, I hate all songs like this. It makes the guys sound like disgusting pigs and the women sound like nothing more than cheap sluts, as though every beautiful girl has to be a hooker. You're the Queen of beauty in my opinion, but you act the least bit slutty. I'd much rather slow dance with you to a good old love song as opposed to the whole humping and grinding thing. That has never been my style, not that I ever had one..."
"I think it's sweet," she stated. "I never wanted any guy to see me as just some sex toy, and so I'm glad I found you."
"And I'm glad I found a girl with class," he told her. "A girl like you is hard to find these days."
"And a gentleman such as yourself is hard to find, too," she replied, smiling slightly. "That means we're perfect for each other."
"But, you know..." he started, smirking. "If you ever want to give me a private show containing humping and grinding..."
"Dream on," she told him, swatting his chest playfully. "Forget what I said about being a gentleman."
"Hey, I could be worse," he warned. "I could be hitting on every girl in sight."
"But, you aren't," she said. "You just love me too much."
"Yo, Troy, we didn't know you could dance." Groaning, Troy turned to his best friend who smirked at him.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll get your chance," he replied.
"Yeah, I'm sure Taylor will force you onto the dance floor," Gabriella interjected.
"Yeah, you're next," Taylor warned him, sitting beside Gabtiella and Chad took the seat between her and Troy.
""So, Tay, any excitement outside?" Gabriella asked her, changing the subject.
"None yet," she replied. "But, Veronica just showed up as we were walking up the steps so be prepared.
Gabriella frowned at this. She hadn't seen or heard from Veronica since the mall incident. Was she going to continue to leave her alone or was she saving her revenge for tonight? There were countless ways she could embarrass her at prom, and so she knew that t would be perfect for her to strike.
"Don't worry, Gabi," Troy said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "She won't do anything to you."
"I hope not," she replied as he rested an assuring hand on her knee.
"No one is going to hurt you," he told her firmly, although he looked down immediately. "At least...not tonight. Tonight is supposed to be one of the best nights of your life. I'll make sure of that."
"Every moment I share with you is the best," she stated, kissing his cheek.
Smiling warmly, he said, "I know, but tonight is going to be better than all that combined. It's my plan."
Gabriella arched her eyebrow. "Your plan?"
He nodded. "Everyone has to have a plan. If not, then their mission will fail, and my mission won't fail."
"What's your mission?" she asked curiously.
"To give you the best night of your life," he answered, smirking. "I won't tell you my real plan. You'll find that out for yourself."
"Troy..." Taylor started, looking at him strictly. "She's going home with me tonight, so don't go planning too much..."
Troy chuckled. "Taylor, c'mon, lighten up. You know me...I'm a good boy."
"Oh, sure," she replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "I can ask half the female student body and they'd say otherwise."
Gabriella wrapped he arms around him defensively, snuggling closer to him. "Of course he's a good boy. No other girl can see what I see, because he's all for me."
"Possessive much?" he teased as she let go of him. "I thought being possessive was my job."
Chad rolled his eyes at the two. "You know," he started. "To not be a couple, you two sure act like one."
"We're a couple that's on a temporary vacation from each other but we're still in the same building," Troy explained, grinning. "Now, if we were on a vacation together..."
"We don't need mental images," Taylor whined. "And, Chad, keep your mouth shut."
"What, but--"
"Finally, we agree on something, Taylor." The group turned to Sharpay with Zeke shortly behind her. At the door, they also noticed Kelsi and Jason's arrival.
"It is not insult Chad day," he complained.
"So says the boy who names basketballs." Sharpay's remark caused everyone except Chad and Taylor to burst into laughter.
"Dude, do you really?" Zeke asked him.
"What did you name it?" Troy asked him eagerly as Taylor slapped her forehead.
"See what you do when you tell other people things?" Taylor snapped, glaring at Gabriella.
Gabriella shrugged. "You told me. Therefore, you started this mess, not me."
"Besides, it's funny," Sharpay replied.
"Hey, guys, what did we miss?" Kelsi asked.
"Small person, hide me!" Chad cried. "They keep making fun of me!"
Kelsi sighed dramatically. "What did you do this time?"
"It's about his naming basketballs problem," Gabriella answered.
"Oh phew! I'm not the only one," Jason stated.
"You guys need to just leave Rhonda and me alone!" Chad demanded as the others started laughing again.
"Whoa, Taylor, you might have some competition going on," Troy said, his lips curled into an amused grin.
"It's Rhonda and I, Chad," Taylor corrected. "Go back to second grade. But, just remember..." she started, smirking. "The worst a basketball can do is hit you in the face. The worst I can do is--"
"I get it! I get it!" he interrupted, putting his hands in the air defensively. "Not the hair. Anything but the hair."
"Oh, your hair is nothing compared to what I could do..."
Gabriella coughed loudly, getting everyone's attention away from the bickering couple. "Okay, guys, we're here to have fun so threaten each other some other time and place, please?"
"Oh, but, Gabi, it's fun watching them," Troy protested.
Looking at him sternly, she waited a few seconds as a new song started playing; this time it was an eighties song. Gabriella smirked. "Just for that, you're coming with me."
"Where?" he asked, looking scared.
"Dancing, of course," she replied as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
He gulped. "But it's some peppy eighties' crap..."
Gabriella glared at him. "I like peppy eighties' music, thank you very much."
Sighing, Troy stood up. "Fine, fine...whatever."
"Geez, Troy. Forget the sex. You're already whipped," Jason said. Kelsi elbowed him slightly in the ribs, indicting that he shouldn't speak.
Troy glared at him but didn't say anything as Gabriella grabbed his hand and led him back to the dance floor.
The rest of the evening was peaceful and pure bliss. Already, the dance was half-way over when they realized how much time had elapsed. They, especially Gabriella, wished this night would never end. It was the closest thing to perfection she had ever seen, for not only was she with her loving ex-boyfriend/boyfriend, she was also surrounded by her amazing group of friends. She didn't know how it could get any better than that...
"Now, it's time to announce the prom court," the announcer stated as everyone gathered near the stage to hear the winners. Clutching Gabriella's hand nervously, Troy led her to the front of the crowd. He heard plenty of rumors about who the nominees were, and so he knew that not only was he in the running, but so was Gabriella. He didn't care as much if he won, but he knew she deserved it. After everything she had been through, it would make no sense not to nominate her and elect her as Queen, and he wanted hardly anything more than to be Prom King with her by his side.
"For the prom princes...." the man started. "Troy Bolton." Gabriella covered her ears as all the girls started screaming. Troy chuckled and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before going up on stage."Chad Danforth." Another round of girls screaming ripped through the air, this one slightly calmer. "And, last but not least, Eric Miller." Troy frowned slightly, although secretly relieved. After Lance was arrested, Eric became head o f the football team. He frowned because if Lance didn't drop out, he would most likely be up there. That thought alone made him want to cringe.
"Now, for the princesses...." Gabriella bit her bottom lip nervously. These were awarded to the popular crowd, not the unfortunate. Veronica or other popular students would win, and they would get to dance with Troy. Usually, she hated the spotlight being on her, but she also didn't want to see Troy with anyone else, whether he wanted to or not. "Sharpay Evans." Gabriella clapped for her friend as she made her way to the stage. The guys cheered as Sharpay passed by, and Sharpay curtsied to the audience. "Veronica Mathews." Gabriella felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her. She should've expected as much, It wouldn't surprise her if she and Troy won Prom King and Queen, although it would kill her to see them dancing. "And, Gabriella Montez."
"Gabi, get up there!" Taylor coaxed her stunned friend. The room erupted in cheers, giving her the loudest ovation of all. Numbly, she made her way to the stage. Her eyes briefly met Troy's, and she noticed the enthused elation lighting them up as he applauded her. Standing beside Veronica, she ignored the glares she was receiving and stared at the announcer instead.
As the cheers subsided, the announcer continued, "Now, the Prom King and Queen, receiving the most overall votes....Troy Bolton." Gabriella applauded as Troy stepped down to where the announcer stood. He leaned down as a crown was placed upon his head. Nervously, Gabriella watched as the man took the microphone again. "And, now, East High's Prom Queen is..." Troy looked over at Gabriella, an assuring look in his eyes, as though he already knew she had won, but how did he know? "Gabriella Montez."
Wide-eyed, Gabriella looked around her, finding her friends in the crowd. Everyone was cheering for her, all except one person. Veronica glared venomously at her, but she ignored her stare as she made her way to Troy's side. Automatically, he held her hand as the second crown was placed on her head. She didn't hear what the announcer said next over the cheers of their peers, but she felt Troy leading off the stage and into the center of the large, empty space separating them from the rest of the student body. Her eyes grew wide once more when she realized what they would have to do next. The dance they shared at the start of the night was only in front of a handful of people who were paying hardly any attention to them. This time, however, hundreds were watching their every move.
"Gabriella," Troy started, using a tone low enough that only she could hear. "Remember the callbacks. Remember the hundreds that watched us that day. Nearly every single one of those people are watching us right now."
"That's what I'm afraid of," she whispered nervously. "Troy, once was more than enough...."
"Gabi," he started again. "Look at me. How many times have you faced death in the last year and a half, and now you're only afraid of slow dancing? I should be the one that's scared. I just learned a few steps two hours ago. If anyone makes a fool out of themselves it'll be me, but I don't mind as long as I'm with you."
Unable to argue, Gabriella faced him as he rested one hand on her back and the other held hers. Gingerly, she rested her free hand on his shoulder. Soft music began playing as the two moved to the music. She could do this, she thought, relaxing her tense body slightly. It wasn't like she was dancing with a stranger. She was dancing with the man of her dream. The one she felt she knew long before they met. He wouldn't let her down now, not this time.
"If I don't say this now I will surely break
As I'm leaving the one I want to take
Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate
"Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Be my baby
Oh, oh, oh
I'll look after you"
Troy pulled her closer to him until there was only a few inches of space between them. The lyrics seemed to speak to him, as though the one in charge of music had picked this song specifically for them.
"There now, steady love, so few come and don't go
Will you won't you, be the one I always know
When I'm losing my control, the city spins around
You're the only one who knows, you slow it down"
Slowly, Troy spun her around once, bringing her back into hi arms, closer than before. As much as he hated to admit it, he liked slow dancing, t least with Gabriella. He liked having her in his arms, or close to it, for that length of time. However, just like Gabriella, he was initially intimidated by the crowd, but, unlike Gabriella, he was used to being in the spotlight. As long as he focused on one thing, in this case Gabriella, he knew he would be fine.
"Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Be my baby
Oh, oh, oh
I'll look after you"
Without thinking about what she was doing, Gabriella closed the space between them, withdrawing her hand from his. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck as his wound around her waist, deepening the kiss.
"If ever there was a doubt
My love she leans into me
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly
Before it could register in her mind what she was doing, Troy returned the kiss with fiery passion. By now, the two had forgotten about dancing, but the crowd erupted in applause nonetheless. She kissed him back, surprised that he never pulled away. Te last time he kissed her, it barely lasted two seconds before he pulled away. Then, when she kissed him earlier, it barely lasted longer than that. She tried counting how many seconds were going by, but she couldn't tell. When he kissed her like this, she could never think about anything but the softness of his lips; he had total control over her.
"Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you
"It's always have and never hold
You've begun to feel like home
What's mine is yours to leave or take
What's mine is yours to make your own
"Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Be my baby
Oh, oh, oh"
As the song came to a close, Troy finally pulled back from Gabriella, both breathing heavily. Ignoring their loud audience, he looked her straight in the eye as he spoke, "Gabriella Montez, I've waited seventeen years to find you. You've completely taken over me, mind, body and soul." The crowd quieted in hopes of hearing what he had to say as he continued, "I know I've hurt you really bad in the past, but I'm not going to let that happen again, I promise. I'll spend the rest of my life proving that to you. So, Ella, I want to give us another chance, if you'll let me do it right this time. So, what o you say?"
Silently, Gabriella pressed her lips back to his, pulling away after a few seconds with tears in her eyes. For once, however, these were tears of joy. The past was in the past, and this was her present. He was her Troy, undeniably. This was the man she wanted more than anyone else, dead or alive. She couldn't even imagine living her life without him. "You've made this the best night of my life, Troy. Of course I say yes."
Grinning broadly, Troy wrapped her arms around her waist once more and kissed her again. This was where their relationship rebuilding truly started: right where they left off. There would be nothing to get in their way this time; there was nothing stopping them from living a relatively peaceful life from here until the end. They were finally free to live and love.
"I love you," Gabriella murmured as the two finally walked out of the spotlight. "And, thank you. For everything."
"It's I that should be thanking you," he disagreed. "Thank you for choosing me."
Smiling, Gabriella kissed him again. Through it all, it had always been him, and she knew it would always be him. "Forever," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Forever," he agreed, resting his head in her hair. "I love you, too."
AN: Awww, don't you just love happy endings? Of course, there is an epilogue, 2-parts, actually...then this is officially over. But, important: if anyone would like, I have a very good idea for yet another sequel....I don't want to say too much at the moment because it may give away the epilogue a bit, but I will say that it would take place approximately twenty years after this. For a rough summary of it, you can check at the bottom of my profile and give me your thoughts. Along with that, I have another idea which I'll reveal at a later time....But, I really loved writing this story and this has so far been my favorite and most challenging to write (thus far), and I know I'd love to continue with all this, but if I did a 3rd it most likely wouldn't be as long as this...I have basically everything mapped out in my mind and it'd be probably between 20-25 chapters, not 40. But, anyway, I'll stop rambling now so you can either go back to ignoring me or give me your thoughts. And, as always, thanks for reviewing!