Who, hours from the musical, has temporarily disappeared? You probably know by now. Will he make it back in time? Find out!

Author's Note: This is a slow chapter. Find out why I decided to still include it at the end.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Where Are You Troy?

Drama Room, Hours Away from the Musical

Gabriella was the first to arrive. She went inside and saw that Kelsi was already here.

"Hey, Kelsi," Gabriella said, "where do I begin?"

"We'll start with your hair," Kelsi answered, pointing to a chair where a curling iron was waiting along with a student.

Gabriella took a seat and let the student curl her hair.

Troy was nowhere to be seen.

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Five minutes later. Troy still not here.

Gabriella was staring to get worried. She can't do the show without Troy here.

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Five more minutes later. Gabriella pulled Kelsi over and asked her, "Kelsi, has Troy showed up anywhere?"

"I'm sorry but no one has seen him."

Gabriella sat in despair while the last of her hair was put up in curls.

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Awhile later and Troy was nowhere to be seen.

Ms. Darbus walked by.

Gabriella waved to her to get her attention.

"Do you mind if I take five to see where Troy is?"

"Go, but go quickly," Ms. Darbus said, obviously stressed.

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Gabriella wondered out of the drama room into the hallway. Troy was nowhere to be seen. She wondered into another hallway, still looking for him. Again, no sign of him.

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She did this for about four minutes until she decided that she should really head back to the room.

She was about to head inside the dressing room when she noticed that someone was running down the hall toward her.

"Troy, is that you?" she said to herself.

The figure grew closer and closer until Gabriella realized that it was Troy.

"Troy!"

"Gabi!"

They both ran to each other and embraced in a hug.

"Where were you? You had me worried."

"I'm so sorry! Long story and you don't really need to worry. All that matters is that I'm now here to sing with you."

Gabriella started to head into the dressing room when Troy started to say one more thing.

"Gabi, remember. Just like kindergarten," he told her while giving her one of his famous smiles.

"Thanks, Troy. I'll remember," she said as she opened the door and walked inside with relief in her heart.

Troy started his way toward the room that said "Boy's Dressing Room." He opened the door and headed inside.

It was 5:00 when Troy and Gabriella both headed into their dressing rooms. The show was only two and a half hours away.

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Sorry that I don't mention why he was late. I didn't because I don't really know. Not the best chapter, but this was how my story got started. I thought that it would basically be a tribute to how this whole story got started. One more chapter left. Catch it which I've already titled Breaking Free: From Song to Story.