And here is to the end of this crack fest. My writing style has changed so much since the start of this fic, but despite this, this was exactly how I pictured it ending.

It's just better.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.

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Ce Matin La

(That Morning)

Part IV: Terminaison

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The entire population of East High (meaning students and staff alike) were for the most part, in complete awe of the class of 2008.

It possibly all started when the kids were in their junior year and Gabriella Montez got thrown into the mix. Her dazzling good looks, sweet disposition and striking intelligence captured the attention of one Troy Bolton, and through jazz squares and harmonies the two revealed a hidden passion for music no one ever thought possible of a jock and a math geek.

Perhaps it was because they had a remarkable amount of school spirit. Every five minutes it seemed that Chad Danforth was screaming, "What team? WILDCATS!" They attended every athletic function for every team in the school, cheering, participating and generally showing their support for their red, white and gold school.

On the other hand maybe it was because a variety of personalities managed to become a close knit group, mixing up the tables and the status quo to the point that no one even seemed to remember that such a thing ever existed.

Maybe it was just Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, in general. How every single person voted them 'Cutest Couple' at prom a month ago, even though neither attended. How they had lined their lives up to one another's so perfectly that nothing could stand in their way. How they were surely meant to stay together forever, no doubts.

It was understandable that the entire senior grade of East High took notice to Troy Bolton's deselved appearance that Monday morning. The dark circles under his eyes and the matted hair told of a wild night with an even crazier explanation. But the exhausted, anxious look in his eyes and the way he refused to sit still in homeroom told of things no one really wanted to uncover.

Sharpay Evan's bright red lipstick and Betsey Johnson handbag still screamed money and begged for attention, but the soft curve of neck was covered in red bruises poorly covered up with expensive foundation. The way her brown eyes darted around nervously, inspecting Troy Bolton's face every other second painted a picture that while fascinating, was disgusting in his execution.

And Gabriella Montez, dear Gabriella Montez. She looked perfect, just like she did everyday. She smiled and grinned, floral dress and dark curls complimenting her cheery dispostion. She entered the classroom and pecked her boyfriend on the cheek, before pausing to stare at him in confusion when he barely reacted.

His reaction put together the pieces of the puzzle they had created in their heads and they concluded that it was one of the ugliest puzzles they had ever seen.

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Gabriella furrowed her eyebrow and watched as Troy's figure retreated hastily out of the classroom. Her mouth open, ready to call after him, her heart clenched painfully. What was his deal? Gathering her things she stomped out of the classroom, following his red hoodie down the hall.

"Oh my fucking god, can you believe Troy Bolton?" she paused then, his name catching her attention. Cocking her head to the side, she listened in on the conversation.

The speaker was a girl with long light brown curls and a black bow in her hair. Her eyes were also fixed on Troy and look of disgust played on her features. The petite redhead beside her raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" she asked, glancing down the hall, "What did he do?"

The brunette turned back around and began throwing items into her book bag from her locker. "Kay, so you know how Josh and I went to that party this weekend?" A nod to confirm the situation. "Well, everyone was totally smashed and the party was really getting started. Then Mel comes up to me and starts tell me about how she saw Troy Bolton and Sharpay fucking Evans leave together."

The redhead gasped. "No way. As if! Like Troy Bolton would ever do that! You sure Mel wasn't so drunk off her ass that she thought Gabriella was Sharpay?"

Her friend laughed. "That's exactly what I thought. But like I said, everyone was smashed and as per usual, Josh couldn't hold his alcohol for shit. So I ended up finding him on the lawn, puking his guts out -- I know, I don't know why I date him either -- and while I'm screaming at him to grow up, I see Troy Bolton's battered old truck, windows all smoggy and Sharpay Evans attached firmly to his lips, no Gabriella in sight."

"You're kidding me."

"Nope. Then they drove off and Josh threw up on my shoes and God, it was awful," she pulled a compact out of her purse. "But I tell you, Troy Bolton is scum. Scum, I--"

"Audrey, stop," the redhead said, her voice panicked. "Stop."

"Why? Holly, no one can hear. It's--" She paused. "Shit."

Gabriella turned towards them, her eyes glassy and they stared at her, red-faced and nervous. Without another word, Gabriella started down the hallway.

"I can't believe Troy!"

"Did you hear about how Bolton scored? His bitch is going to kill him."

"Sharpay Evans is such a stupid slut!"

"It's probably only because Montez is such a prude and wouldn't open her legs for him."

The words fly around her like daggers, each one piercing her skin, her flesh, her heart. She wants to pinch herself, to wake up and realize that this was all just a dream. All just a nightmare.

Her eyes blurred with tears and she walked down the hall faster, her feet pounding into the tiles. She finally found him, standing by a locker.

Talking to Sharpay Evans in a hushed whisper.

"What is this?" she asked, casually, causing the two to look up, taken off guard.

Troy closed his eyes. He felt sick. He had been telling Sharpay that it meant nothing. That it was a stupid, stupid mistake and he wanted to take it back and he was sorry if that was harsh, but it was the way it was. He wanted her gone from his life, once and for all.

Most of all, he just wanted to gather Gabriella into his arms and cry. Tell her he was so sorry and he loved her so much and God, he would never drink ever again if it meant she would forgive him.

He would do anything for her to forgive him.

Sharpay burst into tears, ever the fan of dramatics. She slides down her locker and rests her hands in her head and pulls at her blonde hair, hating herself.

A crowd has gathered around them and they watch as Troy steps forward and places the tips of his fingers on Gabriella's wrist. Twenty odd pairs of eyes watch as she flinches as if on fire and bites her lip. She glares at Sharpay and then at him and gasps for air, her eyes burning with hurt and anger.

"Does someone want to tell me what the fuck is going on?" she hisses in the softest whisper any of them have ever heard. Her being is breaking and Troy's soul is crumbling and Sharpay just wants to die because she can't believe she caused them both so much pain.

Gabriella presses a hand to her forehead, dizzy and nauseous. The student body has started to stare and everyone is waiting for confirmation. For something each and every single one of them already, something she already knows.

She doesn't want to wait for an answer and when neither of the guilty parties gives one she lets out a choked sob, tears sparkling in her eyes and she slaps him; hard, leaving a red mark on his cheek. She twirls around and leaves and the air is stiff and broken all at the same time.

East High remembers a lot of important things from the class of 2008. They never seemed to deny the student body a surprise. They won back to back basketball championships, had jocks singing in musicals and cooking in the kitchen. They threw wild parties and remained to have remarkable, clean reputations.

Despite this, the thing that East High would remember most about the class of 2008 was Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez and how that morning broke them.