Chapter 14
Finally, the big night arrived. Gabriella, Taylor, Kelsi and Sharpay were as excited as anyone could ever be. Even Isabel was excited. Ryan had asked her to prom even though she was not graduating that year. Even she had bought a nice dress for the occasion.
Troy and Ryan picked the two sisters up and after a couple of pictures for Nick and Adrianna, they went to the pro. It was held in the East High gym. The place was decorated nicely.
Troy and Gabriella spent the night dancing, together. So did the other couples. Everyone looked absolutely gorgeous. Finally, the end of the night was nearing and Mr. Matsui decided it was time to announce the prom king and queen.
"Okay, people, time to find out who the prom king and queen are," Mr. Matsui said into the microphone as everyone cheered. "Any guesses? Prom king?"
"TROY!" the gym yelled.
"Prom queen?" Mr. Matsui asked.
Some yelled Gabriella's name whilst other's yelled Sharpay's name.
"Okay, then," Mr. Matsui said. "The prom king is…Troy Bolton!"
The gym cheered as Troy went up to the stage.
"And, the prom queen is…" Mr. Matsui said. "Gabriella Montez."
Gabriella smiled as she went up to the stage. Mr. Matsui placed a crown n her head and she giggled. As it was a tradition for the prom king and queen to dance together, Troy grinned at Gabriella. He did a bow and held out his hand.
"May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked in a phony accent.
"Of course, you may, kind sir," Gabriella said in a phony accent as she curtsied.
Everyone in the gym laughed. Troy led Gabriella to the middle of the dance floor and the two began moving in time to the music.
"I really love you, Ella," Troy whispered, softly.
"I love you, too," Gabriella smiled.
"Graduation's coming soon," Troy said.
"Yeah, next week," Gabriella sighed.
"I don't want to graduate," Troy said, pouting like a small boy. "I want to stay as a Wildcat."
"You'll always be my Wildcat," Gabriella smiled.
Troy smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her lips as the song ended.
When prom ended, Troy took Gabriella home and the two made love to each other.
Graduation was over. Girls were crying and the guys were trying to comfort them. Gabriella was the only one who was not crying. Troy pulled her away from the crowd and dragged her up to the rooftop garden.
"Gabi, you know that I love you, right?" Troy said.
"Yes," Gabriella said slowly. "I love you, too, Troy."
"Gabi," Troy began. "We're going to go our separate ways. And, long distance relationships don't usually work…"
"You're breaking up with me?" Gabriella asked, her heart breaking.
"Gabi, I think it's for the best," Troy said, softly. "I love you, but, I don't want you to be all tied down."
"But, I love you, Troy," Gabriella said, tears filling her eyes.
"I know, baby girl," Troy whispered as he pulled her into a hug. "And, I love you, too."
Gabriella let the tears fall as she hugged Troy. "I don't want to break up," she whispered.
"How's this?" Troy asked. "After we come back from college, if we still love each other and if we are both single by the age of twenty-five, we'll marry each other."
"I don't know, Troy," Gabriella sad as she pulled away from him. "I don't think I can. You don't know how much this is hurting me."
"Gabs…" Troy began as she headed towards the stairs.
"Troy, you gave me your class ring," Gabriella cried. "I thought that meant something after what you said when you gave it to me. But, I guess it didn't."
"It did, Gabs," Troy said. "It meant everything to me when you agreed to where it."
"I don't think it did, Troy," Gabriella said, softly. "If it did, you would have never hurt me like this."
"Gabs, I'm sorry," Troy pleaded. "Please, try to understand."
"I don't want to understand," Gabriella said as she pulled off the ring on her finger. She threw it at Troy who caught it. "I don't want that anymore either."
"Gabriella, wait," Troy said. He grabbed her wrist as she headed towards the stairs.
"No, Troy," she said, yanking her hand away. "Just stay away from me. If you love me at all, just stay away from me. Please."
"O-okay," Troy whispered his voice barely audible as Gabriella ran down the stairs. "I'm sorry, Gabriella. I love you."