Chapter 22

Recap

Gabriella was just in the lounge room reading some magazines.

"Oh Gabi. I forgot to tell you. There's a party coming up this Saturday and we have to come. Its formal party ok?" Isabella said.

"Ohh man.. Is it one of those, rich party kinda thing??" Gabriella winced.

"Yeah it is." Isabella laughed.

"Do we have to? Is famous people gonna be there?" Gabriella pouted.

"Yes. You're going to the party Gabi." Isabelle chuckled and walked to the kitchen.

Little did they know, The Bolton's were also gonna be there….

End of Recap

Gabriella and the gang were again hanging out in The Montez place. They love staying there. Troy would sneak all the time and surprisingly, his dad never figure that out. His mom knows all about it though and was actually pretty proud of her son for standing up on his own.

"Hey guys, I'm going to a party this Saturday. I really didn't want to go because its this formal kinda thing." Gabriella said sadly. She really wanted to hang out with her friends before they leave Albuquerque again.

"That's funny. The whole Wildcat team are going to this party too. I wish I could bring you with me Gabs. Jason and Zeke are bringing their girlfriends." Troy said disappointed.

"Aww, don't worry. If I get bored and you get bored, maybe we can sneak and go somewhere or something in the middle of the party." Gabriella giggled.

"Then I'll surely get bored if that's the consequence." Troy smiled and gave Gabriella a light kiss.

Saturday finally came and Gabriella was whining. She didn't want to go at all. She was wearing a black dress that touches the ground and her hair was fixed in a messy bun. (Vanessa's outfit in the Billboard awards)

"Are you ready honey?" Isabella called from downstairs.

"Noooo…" Gabriella said.

"Oh just get down here or we're leaving you!" Richard said and Gabriella smiled.

"That's ok." She said rather quickly.

"Gabi get down here now!" Isabella yelled.

"Ok ok, chill mom!" Gabriella laughed and slowly went downstairs.

"My little girl is growing up. You look gorgeous Gabi." Richard said with a soft smile.

"Thanks dad." Gabriella said returning the smile.
"She would be happier if Troy said that." Isabella chuckled and winked at her daughter.

"Mom!" Gabriella said, blushing furiously.

"Come on. We should go." Richard said and the whole family head to their car.

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"Dad, do we really have to go this party?" Troy sighed.

"Yes. All your friends are gonna be there anywhere." Jack replied.

"But not my girlfriend." Troy mumbled and luckily, his father didn't hear it.

"Come on boys. We have to go." Jenna said and the Bolton's hurriedly went inside the car.

Jenna, Jack and Troy finally arrived at a huge mansion full of people inside. There were so many cars in the parking lot.

"Good luck with finding your friends Troy!" Jack laughed as they entered the mansion packed with people wearing formals. Troy groaned.

"Its impossible to find them!" Troy said mentally. He parted from his parents and after a few seconds, girls started stalking him already.

"Damn it! Where are they--" Troy was cut off when he saw Chad's bushy hair standing out from the crowd..

"Aha!" He smiled and quickly walked over to them.

"Troy you found us!" Sharpay laughed.

"Yeah lucky me. Girls won't leave me alone." Troy said rolling his eyes.

"How did you know we're here?" Zeke asked.

"I could easily pick Chad's hair from the crowd." Troy chuckled and everybody laughed except Chad who looked confused.

"Do I have anything in my hair?" Chad asked rubbing his hair.

"No Chad." All of them said exactly the same time as they rolled their eyes.

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Gabriella looked around the huge mansion trying to find anyone that she knows.

"This is gonna be a long night!" Gabriella said and suddenly, her phone started ringing. When she saw Troy's picture flashing on her screen, she almost jump in glee.

"Hello?" Gabriella said through the music.

"Hey Gabs. How you doing?" Troy asked casually.

"Oh I just arrived at the party, trying to find someone I know." Gabriella replied miserably as she walk upstairs trying to find a quiet place.

"I wish you're here with me right now. Its no fun without you." Troy said and Gabriella smiled.

"Aww same here." Gabriella replied. She finally found an open room with only less people hanging out there. She sat on an empty couch feeling so peaceful.

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Troy was in the balcony looking at the sky and imagining Gabriella's face. It was getting dark since the party started late afternoon.

"Where are you right now?" Troy asked.

"I'm sitting on a couch near the balcony upstairs. Where are you at?" Gabriella asked over the phone.

"I'm in a balcony upstairs." Troy chuckled. He then turned around and saw a girl sitting on a couch but her back was facing him. He could only see the back of her head and it seemed like she was talking on the phone with someone.

"She looks familiar." Troy thought.

"I'll talk to you later ok? Bye! I love you!" Troy said with a smile.

"Alright. Love you too." Gabriella replied, smiling widely.

Troy was about to approach the familiar girl when suddenly, he spotted Jesse Mc Cartney walking to the same girl.

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Gabriella sighed, not intending to stand up. She just want to stay there. Suddenly, she spotted Jesse Mc Cartney approaching her with a smile.

"Hey Gabriella. I haven't seen you in ages!" Jesse said sitting next to her. Sure, they went out but there was no connection. It was only pure friendship. They're actually really good friends.

"Oh my gosh Jesse! Yeah, its been a long time." Gabriella giggled thanking god that someone she knows appeared.

"So how have you been?" Jesse asked.

"Great. Really great." Gabriella answered thinking nothing else but Troy.

"What are you doing here?" Jesse asked curiously.

"I was just talking to my boyfr-- umm I mean.. a friend of mine." Gabriella blushed.

"Gabriella if you have a boyfriend, its perfectly ok with me. I'm actually going out with Katie now." Jesse chuckled.

"That's great!" Gabriella said enthusiastically.

"So who's the lucky guy?" Jesse asked and Gabriella smiled. She knows that she could trust Jesse.

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Troy moved closer to the girl. When he finally saw her face, he broke into a huge grin. He was so surprised to find his girlfriend sitting on that couch. He saw Jesse sitting next to her and he can't help but frown a little but he knows that Gabriella would never cheat on him and Jesse is a pretty good friend of his anyway. They haven't talked for a very long time though.

"I wish my parents aren't here. They're probably too busy downstairs though." Troy thought and sneaked behind Gabriella. Jesse spotted him but Troy quickly put his finger on his lips signalling Jesse to be quiet. Jesse obeyed and looked away from Troy but Troy could tell that Jesse was totally confused. Troy grinned and copped his hands over Gabriella's eyes carefully.

"What the?" Gabriella said confusedly.

"Who could it be?" Gabriella thought deeply.

"Try guessing who it is Gabriella." Jesse smiled.
"Umm.. Dad??" Gabriella replied slowly even thought she knows that the person behind her wouldn't be her dad.

"Does my hand really feels like your dad's??" Troy said pretending to be hurt as he uncovered her eyes.

"NO WAY!! Troy?!" Gabriella quickly stood up and faced her boyfriend. She knows that voice from anywhere.

"Fancy seeing you here." Troy chuckled opening his arms waiting for Gabriella to hug him.

"Troy!" Gabriella said happily wrapping her arms around him.

"I can't believe you're here. In the same party!" Gabriella chuckled completely forgetting about the confused Jesse.

"I didn't know it too." Troy said happily.

"You look… wow… GORGEOUS!!" Troy said giving her a peck on the lips.

"You don't look bad yourself Bolton." Gabriella giggled. Suddenly, they heard someone coughing.

"Oh my gosh! Jesse I'm so sorry." Gabriella said apologetically.

"Its all cool. Care to explain to me what's going on because I'm completely lost and have no idea that you guys knew each other. As far as I know, Mr Montez hated basketball." Jesse said motioning for the couple to sit down.

"Jesse, its good to see you!" Troy smiled giving Jesse a manly hug.

"Good to see you too Troy!" Jesse said happily.

"So I guess Troy's the lucky guy?" Jesse chuckled.

"Yup. Troy's my boyfriend." Gabriella giggled.

"Wow. I would never have expected that one. Man, you guys are perfect for each other. How did it all happen?" Jesse asked and the couple told him the whole story.

"Please don't tell anyone about our relationship. Its gonna get kinda crazy." Troy said and Jesse nodded.

"Sure thing man." Jesse answered with a smile.

"I need to go to the bathroom. Excuse me guys." Gabriella said and left the two boys. Gabriella was too busy thinking about Troy. Suddenly, she bumped onto someone.

"I'm so sorry sir." Gabriella said apologetically. The guy he bumped onto looked really familiar and he doesn't seem to care that Gabriella bumped onto him because he was looking up, trying to find someone.

"Its alright sweetie." The guy said quickly, still not looking at the girl.

"Jack over here." Someone yelled out.

"Jack? That sounds familiar. Oh well." Gabriella shrugged and went to the bathroom having no idea that she already seen Troy's dad, Jack Bolton.

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Jenna went upstairs and found her son sitting next to Jesse.

"Troy! You have to come downstairs and meet some of your dad's friends. Come on." Jenna called out.

"But mom, do I have to?" Troy whined.

"Yes if you don't want your dad to get angry." Jenna warned and Troy groaned.

"Fine, fine. I'll be there in a minute. I just have to call someone." Troy said picking up his phone and dialling Gabriella's number.

After that, Troy walked out and Jesse headed somewhere else.

"Hey guys. We're back. This is my son Troy." Jenna introduced to a couple of adults.

"The famous Troy Bolton!" A random guy said placing his hand on Troy's shoulder.

"Nice meeting you!" Troy said uncomfortably. They sat at a table and Troy was begging to leave but his parents wouldn't let him. He was looking around and finally saw his girlfriend standing next to her parents.

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Gabriella was now looking around the mansion. Her mother dragged her to meet some friends, just like Troy. She didn't want to be mean but they were boring her and she really wanted to get away from them but her parents wouldn't allow her. Suddenly, a handsome guy approached her.

"Hey, may I have this dance?" He said politely. Gabriella wanted to refuse but her dad gave her a look that says 'be polite and go dance with him!'

"Sure." She sighed and wished that Troy would come and save her. Sure the guy was polite and handsome but he's nothing compare to Troy and there was something fake about him too.

"I'm Eric by the way." He said softly as he gently put his hands on her waist and she uncomfortably put her hands on his shoulders.

"I'm Gabriella." She answered,

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Troy glared at the guy who was dancing with Gabriella. He could see that Gabriella wasn't really enjoying it since she kept on looking around avoiding the guy's stare. Suddenly, the guy's hand started to slowly go down her waist. Troy wouldn't let him go any farther.

"If his hands go anywhere other than her waist, I'm gonna punch him." Troy thought trying to calm his self.

"Excuse me guys. I need to go to the bathroom." Troy said quickly. All of them nodded in agreement.

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"So Gabriella, wanna hang out sometime?" Eric asked slyly.

"Umm I don't know." Gabriella said feeling uncomfortable. She could tell that Eric was trying to feel her waist. His hand was slowly going down her back.

"Please, please Troy come!" Gabriella hoped. Suddenly, a hand rested heavily on Eric's shoulder causing him to stop what he was trying to do.

"What do you want?" Eric asked annoyed. It seemed like he didn't know Troy Bolton.

"May I have this dance?" Troy smiled at Gabriella completely ignoring Eric. Gabriella smiled widely and took Troy's hand without hesitation.

"I would love to!" Gabriella replied happily and they moved as far away from Eric who was pretty shocked that a girl rejected him.

"You are my knight in shining armour!" Gabriella said wrapping her arms around Troy's neck.

"Well, you're my damsel in distress!" Troy said happily snaking his arms around Gabriella's waist pulling her closer.

"Thanks for saving me. That guy was seriously creepy!" Gabriella said as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"You're welcome princess." Troy smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Guys! People are staring, switch partners if you don't want them to get suspicious." Sharpay nudged.

"Ohh right." Troy said but didn't make a move of walking far away from Gabriella.

"Gabi dance with Zeke so they'll think its all just a friendly dance." Kelsi said. Troy and Sharpay danced together but after a minute, they switched back. Whenever Troy or Gabriella get another partner, they would switch back straight away.

"You guys are hopeless." Jason laughed friendlily.

A pleasant song came and Gabriella smiled as she danced with Troy. She started to sing a long with the song.

"Troy this is for you!" Gabriella giggled and Troy grinned widely.

What is this I'm feeling?
I just can't explain, when you're near
I'm just not the same
I tried to hide it, try not to show it
It's crazy, how could it be?

Gabriella stared right at Troy while he stared back admiring his girlfriend.

"Life is good." Troy thought happily as he kissed Gabriella on the forehead.


I've fallen for you
Finally my heart gave in
And I'm falling in love
I finally know how it feels

Gabriella smiled and blushed a little when Troy playfully winked at her.

When you said hello
I looked in your eyes
Suddenly I felt good inside
Is this really happening or am I just dreaming
I guess its true
I can't believe

I've fallen for you
Finally my heart gave in
And I'm falling in love
I finally know how it feels
So this is LOVE...

It doesn't matter where I am
Thoughts of you still linger
In my mind no matter what time of day
I've really, really fallen for you

It was now Gabriella's turn to wink at Troy. When she did it, Troy's stomach immediately did back flips and it felt like he was melting..

Now I've fallen for you
Finally my heart gave in
And I'm falling in love
I finally know how it feels...

I've fallen for you
Finally my heart gave in
And I'm falling in love
I finally how it feels

So this is LOVE...

The two of them leaned in and their lips touched. They were so lost in each other that they didn't noticed that people started taking photos of them.

"TROY!! What the hell are you doing with this Montez girl??!!" Jack Bolton roared angrily. The couple pulled apart and saw a very furious Jack.

"Don't yell in front of her dad!" Troy shouted back.

"What?! This is the man I bumped onto before. He's Troy's dad??!! But he sounded nice before. He even said sorry to me but I guess he didn't see me that's why." Gabriella thought feeling a little scared. They attracted almost all the guests in the mansion.

"Troy I told you never to talk to her again!! She's a bad influence!" Jack yelled and suddenly, Richard came out of nowhere.

"My daughter is not a bad influence Bolton!" Richard yelled.

"Ohh so you're here too. Tell your daughter to find someone else she could get her lips on!" Jack yelled at Richard right on the face. Troy was so furious! He was about to punch his old man, when suddenly, he found him lying on the floor already. Richard actually punched his dad and he was pretty happy about it. Jack quickly stood up and dodged Richard's next punch. He then punched Richard right on the stomach. The others tried to stop them but the two men were too stubborn. Finally, they were separated.

"Don't you talk about my daughter like that again! Troy, your relationship with Gabriella is OVER! This is not going to work!" Richard yelled grabbing a very miserable Gabriella and leaving a heartbroken Troy.

"Dad! Look what you did! Now I lost Gabriella again!!" Troy yelled loudly and stormed out following the Montez family but they were already gone.

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Troy tried calling Gabriella but it was no use. No one's picking up. It was such a bad way to end their relationship. He knows that Gabriella's gonna be on their way back home feeling hurt and sad because of what his father said.

"Mr Montez would never let her go back here again and never in a million years will my dad allow me to go in San Diego." Troy thought glumly.

The next morning, Jenna personally drove Troy to school so he wouldn't roam anywhere else. Even though she actually likes Gabriella, she knows that her husband would never allow it.

It was raining heavily so students were hurrying to get inside the school.

"Troy I'm sorry." Jenna said sympathetically. Troy didn't answer. He was worried, furious, disappointed and sad.

As soon as Troy walked inside the entrance of East High, he was mobbed by his friends talking exactly the same time. He couldn't get a word of what they were saying and that made him more frustrated.

"Guys, guys! One by one!" Troy yelled over the top of them.

"Gabriella just left a second ago. Their car is right there. Come one Troy! You better catch up on Gabriella." Sharpay explained quickly pointing at a retrieving black car. Without hesitation, Troy ran after it hoping that he would catch up. He didn't bother the rain and the fact that he would get wet.

" I don't want to loose Gabriella!" Troy repeated in his mind over and over again. He was close to tears and he was soaking wet and his breathing was very rapid. This is his last chance to talk to her and sort everything out. If he miss it, he'll be miserable forever!

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Gabriella sat in the car crying her eyes out. Richard felt sorry for her daughter but he would never let Jack treat her like dirt so he tried his best to concentrate on the road.

"I would never see Troy again! I don't know what to do!" Gabriella cried and looked out the her window that was wet and hazy .

As they turned the corner of the street, something caught her sight. In the corner of her eye, she saw a figure running far behind them.

"Is that…" Gabriella thought in surprise.

"STOP!" Gabriella yelled but the car continued, loosing sight of the figure running…

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There you go. I hope you like it! So what do you think will happen? How are they gonna meet up again? Is the car gonna stop? Tell me what you want to happen! By the way, the song is called 'I've Fallen for you' by Lea Salonga. Please review.

The next one might be the last chapter but we'll see!