Alrighty the, so this is the final update…and one of my favorite chapters I have ever written. Not that its happy or anything, I'm just proud of the way I wrote it, LOL. So anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the story and thank you sooooo much for all of the wonderful reviews!

Chapter 3
"It's Not Goodbye…"

The crowd had left the theater by now…leaving chairs flipped up and down, programs sprawled on the floor. Each seat was empty, no occupants had decided to wait and see what a barren auditorium felt like, looked like. But Gabriella wasn't this way.

She stood with her cheek pressed against the cement doorway, her hands pushing on the cold surface. A tear, nearly as perfect as a diamond, fell down her cheek. The room felt cold, like a place too far away from warm Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chills eased down her spine at the sight of the room, so full of memories, but yet so empty of happiness.

A breeze pushed on the thin black silk, letting the fabric blow against the back of Gabriella's legs. She turned only her head slowly, leaving her hands on the entrance way. Seeing nothing, she stared back out into the theater.

"Gabriella?" a questioning but sweet voice softened her jaw. She turned, doing her best to manage a smile.

"Hi…" she only let out a whisper, a tear once again falling from her dull eyes.

Troy came nearer, seeming to be afraid of the small girl, but that appearance changed as he placed a hand on her waist. He smiled sadly, looking into her usually sparkling, but at the moment melancholy eyes. "You okay?" he placed his other hand on her waist.

Gabriella nodded as she lifted her arms from the cold cement, and laid them on Troy's shoulders, warming her chilled frame.

Troy pulled her close, making sure to handle the fragile girl with care, and she leaned on him, the tears finally emerging and slipping down Troy's gown, leaving imprints on the shiny silk.

Gabriella felt the wetness beneath her cheek and she pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes. She giggled slightly, but her heart was not in it.

"Goody," Troy tried to lighten the mood, pressing on the darker black marks that lay on his gown; "Now I'll always have a part of you…" he paused, looking into her eyes, "your tears."

Gabriella smiled and punched him playfully in the arm. As she pulled away, Troy smiled mysteriously and rubbed the spot on his arm. "Hey," he pouted. He reached for her and grabbed her, pulling her towards him swiftly and lifting her up. He swung her around, laughing as she giggled.

"Hey you two," a fatherly voice entered the hallway.

Troy dropped Gabriella carefully, and looked up as his father, Coach Bolton, strolled up to the couple.

"Hi Coach Bolton," Gabriella smiled. The coach nodded and turned to Troy.

"Why is it that I always catch you two in this act?" he laughed as Gabriella blushed. Troy just looked him expectantly. "Ok…" the coach continued, "Well, pictures outside you guys!" he turned, and made his way out of the building.

"C'mon," Gabriella slid her hand into Troy's, a grin on her face. She might as well enjoy things while she had them…

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Gabriella tugged at her sleeve, the wrinkled material stretching out. The day was almost to an end, and sores on the student's feet had increased the tired aches and pains that lingered upon their sadness. The seniors all stood on bleachers, family and friends spanned out before them, cameras in their hands.

"Smile," Troy leaned over to Gabriella, whispering in her ear, letting his breath warm her entire body. She rolled her eyes playfully and nudged him, for whenever a smile had disappeared from her face, Troy had scooted up beside her, telling her to smile once again.

"Gabi! Over here!" Gabriella's mom lifted a hand as she looked through the camera. Gabriella turned to her mother; still making sure a smile was spread across her face.

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Gabriella put her hand over her eyes, hiding the tears that had pushed themselves to the rims of her brown eyes. Other students' black gowns fluttered and circled around the small, tired girl, making her feel light headed and dizzy.

"Gabriella," a pair of strong arms wrapped around the distressed girl. Safety shifted into gear as Gabriella turned.

"Hi Troy," she let her eyes drift to the ground, focusing on the cracks that intertwined on the cement sidewalk. But, her chin was lifted gently with the touch of Troy's finger, and the water in her eyes allowed the light to glint off of its shiny surface.

Troy pulled her close, his arms draped around her torso, breathing in her scent and trying to let every aspect of her to be printed into his mind; able to take out and admire at any moment.

The world whirled around the couple, at their own moment in time, their own place in history.

As the moment ceased, Troy adjusted himself so that Gabriella's eyes shone directly into his own. "Did you say good bye to every else?" his voice was nearly a whisper, but the girl heard and nodded, allowing herself to rest her head back on Troy's shoulder.

"Gabi! We have to go!" Ms. Montez stood outside of her car, a hand on the trunk handle and the other on one of the bags that would be taken off to Indiana, where the small family was moving and where Gabriella would attend college at Notre Dame. But Troy…was going to UCLA…

Gabriella wobbled in Troy's arms, not being able to face the fact that…she may never see the boy holding her ever…ever again.

Troy held her tighter, closing his eyes as he did so. She felt the tears soak into his gown once again, following the prints she had left before. She pulled away, thinking that if she didn't do so soon she never would.

The students still swirled around the couple, now a few feet apart, and each, looking into the other's eyes, felt as if they were alone on the stage…singing a loving tune that separated them from all others.

Gabriella turned her heart racing at speeds she had never felt before. "Wait," a hand grabbed hers, spinning her around and pulling her into embracing arms. "I have to do one more thing, one more time," Troy said.

Gabriella looked up at him, her eyes still full of tears. "What?" she croaked.

Troy just pulled her nearer his lips inching their way toward Gabriella's trembling ones. As they kissed…their last kiss…Gabriella wished with all of her might that she would be able to stay there, with Troy…

"I love you Troy…"

"I love you too…always…"

"And forever…" she finished.