Troy and Gabriella sat beside each other across from their friends, their hands intertwined. Troy spoke first, "I know that you both have questions."
"Questions is right Captain, what -"
He shut Chad down quickly. "But if you'll let us explain first, hopefully we'll answer them before you have to ask." Chad and Taylor nodded in response so Troy continued. "Ok I know it seemed like I messed with Gabriella but I haven't, not since freshman year. I watched the guys pick on her one day and I just couldn't do it. I asked her for forgiveness and we built a friendship, which we obviously kept a secret. I asked Gabriella out at the sophomore dance and we've been dating ever since."
Taylor spoke up first. "But why didn't you tell us, I mean Gabriella, I'm your best friend and Chad is Troy's."
Troy responded. "Truthfully Taylor, we were worried about how the school would react. Chad, you only gave her a chance because of Nina."
Gabriella interjected. "And Taylor, you hated them for picking on us."
Chad and Taylor sighed, the former speaking first. "I guess you're right, but why her?"
Taylor nodded, "yeah Gabs, why him?"
Troy and Gabriella looked at each other, smiling; Troy answered first. "I won't speak for Brie but I had always liked her, which is why I picked on her in the beginning; which was really stupid. I knew she was beautiful and smart, but as I got to know her better, I realised how sweet and kind and brave she is. How much I enjoyed being around her and how much I loved her. So I guess that answers your question, I'm with Gabriella because I love her. You can call me whipped or whatever you want to but I don't care, I love her."
Gabriella bit her lip at his response before responding herself. "I guess mine is similar, at first I hated him because he picked on me or at least, I convinced myself that I hated him. But he worked hard to earn my trust and everything he did, I just fell for him. I love him Taylor."
They sat in silence before Taylor responded. "I can't believe you kept this from me for three years."
Gabriella shrugged. "It was just easier, we could be together without the school getting in the way. At the end of the day Taylor, I'm with Troy and nothing's going to change that, you're just going to have to accept it."
Troy interjected. "That's the same for you Chad."
Chad shrugged, "I can live with it, Gabs isn't that bad, better than Sharpay."
Both of the boys laughed at her blush, Troy kissed her bead and he turned to Taylor. "What about you Taylor, think you can accept me with your best friend?"
She sighed, "she's been happier the past three years so I can live with it. You better not hurt her Bolton."
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around Gabriella's shoulder. "I haven't hurt her for the past three years, I'm not going to start now." She nodded in response. "Ok, thanks for understanding guys, we really appreciate it."
"No problem Hoops," Chad said and Taylor nodded in response.