Gabriella looked around. She was flying! Holding tight to Lillian's hand they flew from Albuquerque to Colorado. They landed on the balcony of the same place the New Years party had been held almost tow years ago. Gabriella looked around and turned to Lillian.
"I am going to show you what would have happened to you if you had run away from the stage." Said Lillian. She led her inside and to where they had a good view of the stage.
Gabriella was shocked. There she was being dragged on stage. And there was Troy. He looked a little nervous. She looked scared senseless. The music started and Troy began to sing. He looked unsure of himself. Gabriella saw herself take one look at him and the crown and turn around. She watched herself run away.
"Follow me. We are gonna follow you!" whispered Lillian. She led Gabriella to the washroom.
The walked in. Gabriella saw herself sitting on the floor crying and holding her knees. She looked so sad. She was just sitting rocking back. Gabriella turned and walked away. She couldn't see herself like that. It broke her heart.
Gabriella saw Troy. He was still on stage. He looked lost. He picked up the microphone and kept singing. He wasn't very good. He was off key and just plain awful. He didn't finish the song and walked off stage. This earned him a few scattered cheers…they were just glad he wasn't going to sing anymore.
Gabriella started to cry. Why couldn't he sing? Troy had an amazing voice. Why was he so horrible?
"He couldn't sing after you left because he was singing for you. He noticed something special about you the moment he saw you, he just didn't realize it. Whenever he sings it's for you. That's the only reason he can sing. Its all for you." Lillian answered the questions she had not spoken.
Gabriella didn't know what to say. What could she say? There were no words to describe the sadness she felt. No words could describe the feeling of utter loneliness and pain that Gabriella felt at that moment.
"We need to go. I have a few more 'memories' that you need to see before we go to the future. Take my hand." Lillian held her hand out to the crying Gabriella and she took it.
They landed a few minutes later. It was sunny in Albuquerque. Gabriella saw it was her first day in East High. Lillian took her to Ms.Darbus' room. She watched herself walk right past Troy. He didn't look at her. He never took out his phone because he didn't have her number. He didn't know her name. He didn't even remember her. He didn't even remember singing.
Gabriella looked at him. He was happy. He was laughing with Chad and Jason. They were having a great time talking about basketball. Sharpay went over to Troy and started to flirt with him. He actually talked to her. He didn't see the dark haired girl in the back.
The bell rang and Ms.Darbus went on about all the programs the school. No one got detention. No phones rang. When the bell rang everyone went to class. Gabriella watched herself slowly get up and leave the classroom. There was no Troy waiting for her. There was no one. She was all alone.
"It sad isn't it? You never met Troy so you have no one to talk to." Lillian said in a quiet voice.
"Do I remain friendless forever?" asked Gabriella quietly
"No. You join the Scholastic decathlon in a few months because your mother makes you. You do end up being friends with Taylor. Her and Chad never go out because they never had to team up to brake up you and Troy. Chad goes out with some cheerleader and Troy dates Sharpay. It doesn't last long. Neither of them keeps a steady girlfriend."
"So that's what my life would be like without Troy." It was a statement not a question. "I end up lonely and bored. Great! Just-Just great!" said Gabriella as she stated to cry again.
"You see. I shouldn't really tell you this, but I will. Troy is your sole mate. You were destined to meet at the ski lodge. It was all supposed to happen. When you ran away you gave up on love. Neither of you will be able to love anyone as much as you love each other. And if you don't meet then two of your friends would never meet so not only will you live a loveless life, so will your closest friends."
Gabriella took a moment to think over what Lillian had just said. "Taylor and Chad! They wouldn't have met if it weren't for Troy and me! So if I never met Troy then Taylor never met Chad. Great so if I forget Troy they Taylor misses out on love too? Perfect! Just Perfect!"
"You don't need to decide to give up yet. Let us finish this…expedition. Then you can decide. Keep in mind if you give up then your friends don't even get a chance."
Gabriella nodded. She was so confused. She wanted Taylor and Chad to be together even if her and Troy weren't. This wasn't going to be easy. Not in the slightest.
"Wonderful. It is now time to go into the future. This is what would happen if we didn't go on this little trip. Keep in mind, this is what would have happened if he didn't go on this trip. Even if you decide to keep everything the way it is the future will change. It may be similar, but not the same. The past can be changed with a little…help. The future is always changing. Every decision you make effects the future. The only sure thing is the present."
With that Lillian once again took Gabriella's hand and they were lifted into the sky. This time they kept rising, straight to the stars. Lillian led Gabriella right though a star. It an explosion of orange and pink sparks they arrived in the future.
