Epilogue Part 2

Troy, Gabriella, Velma, and Sharpay went back into the gym. Sharpay and Velma still seemed to be hiding something, but Troy couldn't figure it out. Gabriella made Troy lose his train of thought by asking him to come with her. He obeyed by following her into a corner.

"Troy," she said, with leftover tears in her eyes from the song, "I really do apologize for leaving. I know I've told you this like a million times, but I apologize. I love you."

"I love you too," Troy said, folding her into his arms. They hugged for a while, it seemed like. All they did was stand there, hugging, until they were interrupted.

Troy and Gabriella pulled apart to see who or what was interrupting them. In front of them stood Nell, Emmy's old friend.

"Hi, Nell," Troy said, remembering Emmy's ex- best friend.

"Hi. Um, have you seen Emmy?"

"No, I'm sorry to say I haven't. Why?"

"Well, I have something for her, but I'm not sure if she'd like it or not."

"Do you have it with you?"

Nell nodded. She dug into her purse and pulled out a medium-sized picture frame. Inside of the frame was Nell and Emmy when they were about five years old. Emmy had some teeth missing in he front, she wore no makeup, and her hair was full of brown curls. Nell had some of the same features, only her hair was strait.

"Nell," Troy said, looking at the picture, "I think she'll love it. Once she gets it, which I don't know when, since Sharpay is basically the only person who knows where she is."

Nell smiled and nodded, holding back tears. "I really miss her."

"I do, too."

Gabriella produced more tears. "We all miss her."

"Excuse me."

Troy looked behind Nell to see another one of Emmy's old friends. "I got a little something for Emmy, too." She pulled out a teddy bear. "I gave this to her when we were about eight. She loved it, but she said I should have it because I didn't have as many stuffed animals as she did. But I want her to have it."

Troy nodded. The two girls set the objects on a table next to Gabriella.

A boy came up. "I drew this for Emmy." It was a card saying "Get Well Soon, Emmy!"

More and more kids were putting objects on the pile. Troy couldn't believe this. If only Emmy could see how many of her classmates really cared about her.

After a while, the line shortened. As it reached the end, Yena stood there, holding a shopping bag. She stepped up.

"I- I bought this for Emmy. I hope she likes it."

Troy took the bag. Inside he found a t-shirt. It said, "Emmy Rocks!" He smiled at Yena, who left him, Gabriella, and the huge pile of items for Emmy.

Velma came up, holding the 'T' necklace. "I think this belongs to you," she said, handing it over to Gabriella. Gabriella took it, saying her thanks to Velma.

After Gabriella put the necklace on, she felt Troy's arm around her. He was leaning down towards her, so she leaned up toward him. They shared their first kiss since Gabriella left for Wisconsin.

The announcer was screaming into the microphone, "I have a request! Um, Troy Bolton, come on up here!"

Troy broke apart from Gabriella. He looked around as other people were looking at him.

"What?"

"Come on! Someone wants you to sing!"

Troy slowly walked up to the table. "Who requested it?"

"It is anonymous. But they want you to sing your new song you wrote."

Troy glared at Sharpay, then at Velma, who were bother standing in the crowd around the table.

"I really don't feel like sharing it…."

"Come on, dude!"

Troy sighed. He looked over to Gabriella. "I can't do this alone. I- I can't."

Gabriella walked up onto the table with him. "I can't sing, Troy."

"I can't do this alone," he repeated.

Gabriella sighed. "I'll play an instrument. I mean, I need the sheet of music…."

Troy pulled it out. "It's written for the guitar."

Gabriella smiled. "I can play the guitar."

The announcer smiled. "And I have a guitar!" He picked it up and gave it to Gabriella.

Gabriella got into position with the guitar. She reviewed the sheet music a little, then she began to play. On his cue, Troy began to sing:

Troy:

She's gotta do what she's gotta do

And I've gotta like it or not

She's got dreams too big for this town

And she needs to give 'em a shot

Whatever they are

Girl's voice:

Looks like I'm all ready to leave

Nothing left to pack

Troy looked around in confusion. Who else knew how his song went? And why were they changing the lyrics to first person? And where was this voice coming from?

Troy:There ain't no room for me in that car

Even if she asked me to tag along

Troy and Girl:God I gotta be strong

People in the crowd moved and made an aisle in the middle. Troy looked down the aisle. It was Emmy. She was wearing a pink dress, her hair wasn't greasy and slimy, she wasn't caking on makeup. She looked…. Beautiful.

She began to walk up the aisle.

Emmy:I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life

As ready as she's ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes

The prize is mine to win

Troy:She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits thatopen road

Baby get ready

Emmy:Oh I'm Ready

Troy:Get set

Don't go

Emmy made it up to the table. She stood next to Troy and Gabriella.

Emmy:Looks like things are falling in place

Troy:Feels like they're falling apart

I painted this big ol' smile on my face

To hide my broken heartIf only she knew

Emmy:This is where you don't say what you want so bad to say

Troy:This is where I want to but I won't get in the way

Of her and her dreams

And spreadin' her wings

Emmy:I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life

As ready as I've ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes

The prize is mine to win

Troy:She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits thatopen road

Baby get ready

Get set

Don't go

Emmy:

I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life

As ready as I ever been

Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes

The prize is mine to win

Troy: She's waitin' on my blessings before she hits that open road

Baby get ready

Get set

Please don't go

Don't go

Emmy:Let me go now

I'll be alright, all be okay

Know that I'll be thinking of you each and every day

Troy and Gabriella: She's gotta do what she's gotta do

She's gotta do what she's gotta do

The audience burst out with applause. He dropped his microphone and rapped his arms around Emmy. He never let go the whole night, or at least it seemed like he didn't. Emmy hugged him back, knowing that he loved her. Knowing that Gabriella loved her. Knowing that Sharpay loved her. Even Velma cared for her, after she had apologized for all that she had done.

Emmy began to cry. Her injuries suddenly felt like they had shriveled up. She felt good for the first time in a long time. She loved her life and everybody in it.

Coach Bolton was put in jail for eight months.

Emmy's parents didn't return.

Troy was the official new coach of the basketball team. He also decided to leave his song with the two parts, after learning that when he sang it outside, Emmy overheard. He liked singing with Emmy better than with just himself.

Sharpay and Emmy remained good friends.

After a while, Velma drifted away from Troy, Gabriella, Emmy, and Sharpay. She wanted nothing to do with them and stopped talking to them.

Gabriella resumed her position as leader in the Science Club, although Troy stopped coming. He hated Science, except for the fact that it brought Gabriella and him together.

Emmy was back to herself. She became friends with Nell and all of her old friends. She couldn't help but smile every day. Despite some of the inconvenient things, life was good.