Okay, I know you all hate me for not updating for so long so I'll just get on with the story before I'm dodging flying knives or something.
Gabriella stood backstage her pulse quickened and her hands sweaty. Tonight was the night of East High's annual talent show and the school had turned out in their thousands. No-one except Chad, Gabriella and her mom knew that she was there, especially not Troy. Gabriella's plan was to do two songs, well if she reached the final that was. One dedicated to her brother, and one describing her life, Gabriella knew that it would take all her strength to go through with it but she had to. There was nothing anyone could do to lessen the fear, only Gabriella could get over it, she remembered a conversation she'd had with her mother earlier that very day.
"Gabriella, I want you to know that whatever happens tonight I'll be the proudest mom in Albuquerque, it doesn't matter if you come first or last you will have overcome your fear." Maria Montez pulled her daughter close and tried to stop the tears that threatened to spill over.
"I know, mom" Gabriella said simply, "I love you"
"I love you too, honey" Maria whispered.
That had been the moment that Gabriella knew that she had to do it, she had to win this competition. Not for herself, but for Carlos.
"Thank you, Miss Evans, that was simply…sparkletastic" Gabriella heard Chad say from on stage, "Coming up after the interval we have a very special girl and some talented boys. See you in five."
Gabriella knew that she was first on after the break, beads of sweat began to appear on her forehead and her breath came in ragged jerks. There was no way she could do this, what if she was awful? What if Troy didn't feel the same way? If he didn't like her then…
"Gabstar?" Gabriella heard a familiar voice break through her thoughts.
"Chad, I can't do it. I'm going to be awful, I just know it. Everybody'll hate me!" Gabriella felt a single tear roll down her cheek and her voice caught in her throat.
"Oh Gabby," Chad said with a sigh, "you are probably the best singer I've ever heard in person. And you're super cute too, not to mention what you've been through the past few years. Not many people could go through and come out strong at the other end."
Gabriella smiled up at her best friend and it was then she knew she could do it. She could stand up to anyone that tried to stand in her way, she would be strong.
"Danforth, what are you doing? Interval ended three minutes ago!" Ms Darbus hissed at Chad who rolled his eyes and ran onto stage, "Oh yes, good luck Miss Montez"
Gabriella smiled and closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. It was now or never.
"I hope you all had a refreshing break and welcome back. Up next is a very special girl who I believe is going to be a star." Chad walked off stage and turned to Gabriella, "Go for it!"
Gabriella walked out on stage and froze, the theatre was full. There was absolute silence, no one uttered a word.
Troy's POV
Is that Gabriella? No, it can't be. She said she had to stay and study for that test, she wouldn't lie to me. Whoever that girl is she is so beautiful, the way her curls fall down her back.
No POV
Gabriella took the microphone she was handed and started to speak into it. "Hey, most of you know me but for those who don't I'm Gabriella Montez. The song I am about to sing is for my brother, Carlos.."
A collectice whisper went through the theatre, brother? Gabriella had never mentioned having a brother.
"…he died when he was eight years old and this is for him."
The music started and Gabriella took a deep breath and began to sing,
She walks to school with the lunch she packed
Nobody knows what she's holdin' back
Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday
she hides the bruises with the linen and lace oh
The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask
It's hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born
Troy sat glued to his seat, Gabriella was singing about Carlos, she was talking about Carlos. Then he smiled, he knew that it would be good for Gabriella to let it out, to let people know about her brother. Sharpay leaned over to Troy and said; "Did you know about Carlos?"
"Yes, but I promised not to tell" Whispered Troy.
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete angel
Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbours hear, but they turn out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it'll be too late
The whole audience was mesmerised, hardly breathing. The sounds of an angel washed over them and they were transfixed.
"I love you, Gabriella Montez" Troy whispered, low enough so that only he could hear it.
"Where are you going?" Hissed Sharpay a Troy stood up in his seat.
"To find the one I love." Troy stated simply.
A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot
Gabriella finished the song and opened her damp eyes; tears were rolling down her cheeks. The whole audience was on their feet, many of them crying. Gabriella spotted Sharpay, Zeke, Kelsi, Taylor and Ryan but no Troy. There was an empty seat next to Sharpay but Troy was not in sight. He left, thought Gabriella, distraught. He hated it so much he left. Gabriella turned and ran off stage and straight into the arms of the one and only Troy Bolton.
"T-Tr-Troy?" Sobbed Gabriella.
"Shh, what's the matter honey? Just listen to that audience they loved you, you were absoloutley amazing, I never knew you had a voice like that. So, why are you crying?"
"I thought you left, I thought you hated it." Gabriella sobbed harder.
"I'll never leave you, I love you." Troy said.
"What?" Gabriella looked up, shock written all over her face.
"I love you Gabriella, always have done always will. Do you know when I realised? That day we spent together in the park, it was amazing. I felt as thought nothing was wrong with the world, as long as you were with me." Troy stopped and looked down at the petite brunette in his arms. Thinking for the first time that she might not feel the same way, worry flooded over him.
"I love you too, Troy Bolton" Gabriella smiled and went up on tiptoes. As soon as their lips touched fireworks exploded within the pair, it was all Gabriella had ever dreamed and more.
"Well then, folks. It's been a brilliant show, if you'll just be patient while our judges confirm their decisions and then we'll have the two finalists up here to battle it out." Chad said from on stage and Troy and Gabriella broke apart, they'd kissed all the way through two acts.
"Oh, gross" Said Chad coming off stage just in time to catch the pair finish their kiss.
"Shut up, doofus. It's not like I caught you and Sharpay mid make-out in your back yard earlier or anything." Troy said, grinning at his best mate.
"I thought we agreed that we were never going to mention that to anyone." Said Chad through gritted teeth.
"Oh Em Gee!" Exclaimed Gabriella, detaching herself from Troy, "I have to go find Sharpay."
"You're not going anywhere, they're about to announce the results." Said Troy.
"Thanks for being a patient audience, the judges have come to a decision nd have decided that the two finalists are…" Chad paused dramatically, "Gabriella Montez and Sharpay Evans. Come on up and battle it out, girls."
Gabriella looked up at Troy, "What the f-" but she was cut off by Troy's lips on her own. "Well done babe, go for it."
Gabriella walked on stage to rounds of tumultuous applause.
"Gabriella, if you'd like to step to one side as Sharpay shows us her stuff."
Sharpay performed brilliantly, her dance moves were perfect and she sung in perfect tune.
"Thank you, Miss Evans, if you would like to step to the side. Gabby, take it away."
There was a blackout on stage and then a single spotlight fell on Gabriella and she began to sing.
Sometimes I feel like I'm a bird with broken wings
At times I dread my now and envy where I've been
But that's when quiet wisdom takes control
At least I've got a story no one's told
I finally learned to say
Whatever will be will be
I've learned to take
The good, the bad and breathe
'Cause although we like
To know what life's got planned
No one knows if shooting stars will land
Troy felt his heart twist in his chest, the voice washed over him and he knew that he wanted to be with this girl forever.
These days it feels naive to put your faith in hope
To imitate a child, fall backwards on the snow
'Cause that's when fears will usually lead you blind
But now I try to under-analyse
I finally learned to say
Whatever will be will be
I've learned to take
The good, the bad and breathe
'Cause although we like
To know what life's got planned
No one knows if shooting stars will land
Is the rope I walk wearing thin?
Is the life I love caving in?
Is the weight on your mind
A heavy black bird caged inside?
Say
Whatever will be will be
Take
The good, the bad
Just breathe
'Cause although we like
To know what life's got planned
No one knows if shooting stars will land
The whole theatre erupted with cheers as Gabriella hit the high note, her voice had so much power and it was obvious to everybody in the hall that she really believed in what she was singing. The emotion in Gabriella's voice was evident, even from the very back row. As the music quietened and the mood change the theatre silenced.
Whatever will be will be
I learned to take
The good, the bad and breathe
'Cause although we like
To know what life's got planned
Thing like that are never in your hands
No one knows if shooting stars will land
Gabriella finished and the theatre erupted once again, the whole audience was on their feet cheering and clapping.
"God Gabriella, you could have told us you were that awful!" Joked Chad, coming back on stage, "Give it up for our two finalists, Gabriella and Sharpay." The audience made even more noise. "Right, I have the result right here, and the winner is….Gabriella Montez."
The theatre erupted once again, Gabriella grinned and a tear slipped down her cheek once more. But this was a happy tear, a tear that told people that her dream had come true.
"Well done Gabriella" Squealed Sharpay, and Gabriella could tell that she was genuinely pleased for her.
"Thank you" Gabriella flew off stage and into the arms of Troy.
"Well don, baby. You were absolutely amazing, who knew I had such a talented girlfriend?"
"Sorry?" Sharpay said, stunned.
Troy and Gabriella just smiled at Sharpay.
"OH EM GEE!" Sharpay squealed pulling Gabriella into a hug, "it's about time!"
"What about you and a certain afro head?" Gabriella said, hands on her hips.
"Oh…well…"Sharpay broke off when Chad ran up and slipped his arms around her waist.
"Someone mention the almighty 'fro?" He asked, squeezing Sharpay tightly.
"Yeah, it happened earlier today." Sharpay said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"I'm so happy for you" Squealed Gabriella.
"Why do girls always have to squeal?" Chad asked, rubbing his ears.
"Darling, you were amazing!" Maria Montez came bounding up to her daughter and pulled her into a huge hug. "As a treat you can have the whole gang round to stay tonight, I'm going to stay at Lucille's"
"Really?" Gabriella shrieked and when Maria nodded Gabriella threw her arms around her mother, "Have I ever told you I love you?"
"Just be a bit sensible, all of you" Maria directed her gaze onto Troy, "And no funny business"
"No, ma'am." Troy said, completely sincerely.
Three hours later Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Chad, Taylor, Ryan, Kelsi and Zeke were lounged about in the Montez's living room.
"I can't believe your mom let us all stay over." Said Kelsi, smiling at Gabriella.
"I know, neither can I. Guys I want to tell you a story. About my brother." Gabriella looked over at Troy and he came and out an arm around her shoulders.
"Okay, you can tell us anything" Sharpay said, reaching down for Gabriella's hand.
"Well, it started with my father…" Gabriella told them the whole story and when she'd finished she looked up from her lap where she'd been staring the whole time.
Sharpay, Taylor and Kelsi all had tears in their eyes, but the fact that they were still there, they hadn't run away was enough for Gabriella.
"Oh Gabby," Gasped Taylor, pulling her friend into a hug. "If you ever want to talk, scream or just cry you know I'll be there for you. That goes for all of us, right guys?" Taylor turned to the other seven people in the room who all nodded profusely.
"Thanks guys, do you know what?"
"What?" Asked Zeke.
"You guys are the best friends in the world. I don't know what I'd do without you."
That set the girls off again; they all burst into tears and launched themselves on Gabriella in a big group hug.
Two hours later, Gabriella and Troy were snuggled up in Gabriella's bed. They'd left the rest of the group in the living room and had come up to Gabriella's bed to talk.
"I love you, Wildcat." Said Gabriella, sleepily.
"I love you too, superstar." Troy replied, pulling Gabriella even closer and kissing her on the forehead.
That was all Gabriella needed, for the first time in years Gabriella went to sleep with a smile playing on her lips.
That's it! It's over, I think I'm actually going to cry! I've enjoyed writing this so much, it's been awesome! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, you all mean so much to me. Please hit that big (new) green button and review for the last time.
Do people think I should do an epilogue or leave it at that?
Thank you again, Lot's of love Izzy. xx