Gabriella, Melanie, the coach, Ms. Andrews, and the team got off the bus and went inside in a single filed line. Ms. Andrews signaled to Gabriella and Melanie to
follow her. They followed her onto the court. They sat in a folf up chair on the sidelines of the court. Gabriella's heart was beating so fast. It felt like the entire court
could hear her heart thumping. it seemed to Gabriella to be like an entire hour had passed, but when Gabriella looked at her watch. It had only been fifteen minutes.
An announcer came over the loudspeaker announced, "Everyone please stand in respect for our naton. Gabriella Montez will now be singing the national anthem."
Gabriella felt herself being pushed forward as her name was announced. She was prepared. She looked down at the floor, too nervous to look up. She was given the microphone and then looked up. She didn't realize who she was looking at for moment. She stared blankly into space not knowing what she was doing. Then she realized who she was staring at-Chad!
She started to sing, "Oh say can you see, by the dawns early light ..." She turned to face the crowds of people surrounding her on all sides. She turned counter-clockwise going from Chad then to face her fellow Stanford classmates. Standing a few people away from Chad, stood another familar face, Troy Bolton. Gabriella guessed that he didn't know she was staring at him because he was staring at the floor. She stood standing there.
"And for land of the free, and the home of the brave!" she finished off.
After Gabriella finished that line everyone applauded. Troy lifted his head up just enough for him to see Gabriella staring at him. Once she saw him look up she put a broad smile across her face. Once Troy realized he smiled as big as ever and waved. If she could, Gabriella wanted
The announcer came on again,"For our starting line up for Duke, Let's here it for Troy Bolton, number twenty-nine..." He continued to speak.
Gabriella didn't care. She walked back over to her seat and watched as the announcer kept going on. She kept her eye on Troy the entire time. He was strong never needed a time out. Could play all four quarters. Troy had every talent a basketball player needed, plus a good voice.First quarter went by. Then second quarer. Half time, the buzzer went off.
Ms. Andrews started to walk toward Gabriella. "Hi girls, how are you? Were you alright out there?" she asked. "Hey listen. Troy wants to see you. Would you like to see him?"
"Sure. I don't know if they'll let us in, but we can try," Gabriella said.
She followed Ms. Andrews to the locker rooms. They knocked on the door.
"Yes?" a man's voice called.
"I have someone that would like to speak with Troy," Ms. Andrews answered.
"Not right now," the man's voice replied. "I'll tell him that you were looking for him. May I leave a name?" the man said.
"Ah, yes. Please tell him to meet Gabriella Montez on the floor after the game, please. Thank you, good bye!" Ms. Andrews responded.
