Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue.
A/N: So, this is the last "official" chapter of the story. The next one is going to be an epilogue. I hope you all enjoyed the story and weren't disappointed by it. School is now underway (Junior year-eek!), so I'm not too sure when the next story is going to be posted. It's been fun, though!
NOTE: This takes place a month after the last, in June. The seniors are about to graduate.
Enjoy!
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"I can't believe we've only got two more days until we graduate," Sharpay said, dropping onto the step next to Gabriella. The senior class was milling around the outside of school, lounging on the front steps, waiting for graduation practice to start. Gabriella was sitting with Taylor, Chad, Jason, Zeke, and Kelsi, but Ryan was nowhere to be seen.
"It's so surreal," Taylor agreed, leaning back against Chad's legs. The latter brushed his girlfriend's hair from her face, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead. Since their last fight they had been spending as much time as possible together, trying to make the most of every moment they had left.
"So, has anyone seen my brother?" Sharpay asked, looking around. "I haven't seen him since we left the house."
Gabriella shot a glare at her friend, who realized her mistake immediately.
"Sorry," Sharpay said, blushing slightly. "I forgot."
There was an awkward silence as everyone momentarily thought back to the day a month previous, when the current rift between Ryan and Gabriella had started.
FLASHBACK
"I love you," Ryan whispered, searching Gabriella's face for an answer.
"What?" she asked, her jaw dropping slightly as she gaped at him.
"I-I love you, Gabriella," he repeated, moving a little closer to her on the piano stool.
Gabriella stood up quickly, putting her hand up to stop him.
"I-I'm sorry, Ryan. This is too fast. I don't-I just can't, okay?"
Gabriella was still gaping at Ryan, unconsciously backing toward the door.
"Gabriella, I-I didn't realize you didn't-"
"I'm sorry," Gabriella said, turning on her heel and fleeing the room, leaving
Ryan bewildered and alone at the piano.
FLASHBACK
"Listen, Sharpay," Gabriella said, turning to face the other teen. "I want Ryan to know, I never meant to hurt him. I just-he was moving too fast, you know? I'm not ready to forget Troy."
"He knows, Gabi," Sharpay replied, reassuringly patting her friend on the shoulder. "He's trying to give you his space, to give you time. But he knows."
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Jack sat in the living room, holding the cordless phone in his hands. Making up his mind, he punched in a series of numbers, bringer the receiver to his ear.
"Albuquerque Rehab, Angela speaking. How can I help you?"
"Hi, my name is Jack Bolton," Jack began tentatively, unsure how to proceed. "I was wondering-my wife Kellie, she's there, and I was wondering if-"
"Would you like to be connected to her room?"
"Uh, yeah. Thanks."
"One moment."
Jack closed his eyes, steeling himself while the operator connected him.
"Hello?"
"Kellie?"
"Jack?"
"God, Kellie, it's so good to hear your voice," Jack sighed, feeling relief that his wife sounded normal.
"It's good to hear from you, too, Jack," Kellie replied, happiness finding it's way into her tone of voice. "How are things at home?"
"I'm managing," Jack replied. "Listen, Kellie, there's something I need to tell you. About-about Troy."
There was a momentary silence as Kellie contemplated the statement.
"The school called. They're-they're going to give him an honorary diploma, and they've dedicated a part of graduation to him. They want us to be there."
"I can't, Jack," Kellie whispered, sadness evident in her voice. "You know I can't."
"I know, Kellie, I just-I thought you'd want to know."
"I'm sorry, Jack. I can't."
There was a click as Kellie hung up the phone, leaving Jack hanging on the other end of the line.
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"Is there anything anyone would like to share?"
Kellie looked around the room at the group gathered in the circle. She was in one of her group sessions of rehab, a time when the patients were asked to share their experiences and seek help from the group. Before now, she had remained silent, merely listening to the stories of others.
"I would," she said quietly, raising her hand. The facilitator nodded, and Kellie took a deep breath, steeling herself to answer.
"Hi, my name is Kellie, and I'm an alcoholic," she began, realizing that it was the first time she had admitted it to herself.
"Hi, Kellie," the group returned, all eyes focused on her.
"My-uh-my son, Troy, he was seventeen," Kellie began, taking a deep breath. "He was with his friends, when he-they were at a store-he-um-he was shot. By another teen, who robbed the store with his brother."
She broke off, brushing away the tears that pooled in her eyes. The other members of the group looked at her sympathetically. Gathering her senses, Kellie continued.
"He was shot in-in the chest. His girlfriend-she held him in her arms as he lay there, bleeding. The bullet, it-it hit his aorta. They brought him to the hospital, but-later on, he-he had a clot. He-he died. My only son, he died. On Valentine's Day."
Tears streamed down Kellie's face as she paused again, trying to avoid the looks of pity and sympathy that the other members of the group were sending her way.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I've just-this is the first time I'm talking about it. I couldn't deal with it, so I just shut the world out. I turned to alcohol to drown my problems. It was just too hard, too much. My husband found out, he sent me here. Earlier today, he called me. He just found out Troy's school is giving him an honorary diploma, and they want us to be there. When I realized I wouldn't be able to make it, it made me realize how wrong what I've been doing is. It made me realize that nothing is going to bring Troy back, no matter how much I miss him or how wrong I think his death was. I think today was the first time in months that I've actually felt anything other than depression."
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Gabriella stood to the side of the stage, listening to Principal Matsui speak about graduation. She ran her hands down the front of her crisp white gown, catching momentarily on the honor stole draped over her shoulders. She turned her head slightly to look out at the crowd gathered in the gym. The Class of 2007 were seated in the first few rows, rows of matching caps and gowns. Behind them sat their parents, siblings, and families, looking on with pride.
"And now, I'd like to ask our valedictorian, Gabriella Montez, to say a few words. Miss Montez, along with Ryan Evans, has prepared a song for us, dedicated to the memory of Troy Bolton." Principal Matsui nodded at Gabriella, who smiled nervously and walked up to the stage. Applause from the crowd greeted her entrance, and they all looked on in sympathy and pride, listening intently to her words.
"Good morning staff, parents, family members, and fellow students of the class of 2007. I think by now most of you know who I am, if only for the reason that I was dating the most popular boy in our class."
An appreciative chuckle greeted her words, and Gabriella smiled out at her audience, her eyes stopping momentarily on Ryan.
"It's been a tough year on us all, losing someone as loved as Troy was. But we've managed to get through it, together, and I think we've all come out stronger. I know that, when I came here last year, you all thought I was stealing Troy from you, making him go out for the musical. But I think we've all realized that it was for the better. This year, I think the whole basketball team might have shown up at auditions." She paused for a moment, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Jason, who had auditioned for the fall play, much to the amusement of all his friends.
"I can't say how great this last two years have been. I've been surrounded by so much love and support, and I'm not sure I always knew what to do with it. I think that our class is full of people who are willing to go above and beyond to help others. I think that we are all going to be successful in whatever we end up doing after today, whether it be college, work, military, or something else. We've come through a lot this year, but there's a lot more to come. Congratulations, guys. I know I'm proud of you."
Gabriella stepped back from the podium, smiling broadly as the audience clapped and cheered. Several people were smiling at her in return, showing her their support. Gabriella looked to Ryan in the audience, and noticed he was smiling the most of anyone.
I love you, he mouthed, knowing she saw him.
Gabriella, unable to answer, merely nodded, smiling at him.
Soon, she mouthed back, knowing he'd understand the meaning.
She may not be ready to love him yet, but she had a feeling that she'd be ready in the near future.
Fin!
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A/N: The end! Tear, tear…I'm crying…lol
Well, guys, it's been fun. A lot of ups and downs, but it's still been fun. I've really enjoyed this story, and I'm glad it got such a great response. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I hope you keep reading my work.
Peace and love,
Jetsfanforlyfe
P.S.- There's an epilogue posted…read it! (And the trailer for my next story, "The Longer You Stay")