The big date!

On Friday night, Gabriella stood in front of her mirror, fidgeting with the strap of her dress. She was wearing a navy blue spaghetti strap dress that went just below her knees. Her naturally curly hair was pulled up into a half ponytail, with the rest left down. She wore a little eyeliner and clear lip gloss. Gabriella couldn't stop fidgeting because she was so nervous. She didn't notice her mother standing at the door.

"You look beautiful, Gabriella. Stop fidgeting!"

Gabriella stopped fiddling with her dress and turned to look at her mother, a small smile gracing her lips.

"I'm just really nervous, Mama. I can't believe he asked you and Dad!"

Mrs. Montez smiled.

"He likes you, dear. I can tell you like him, too. Just have fun tonight."

"Thanks, Mama."

Gabriella hugged her mother as the doorbell rang. Mrs. Montez let go and pushed her daughter out of her bedroom.

"Let's go. Troy's here."

Gabriella took a deep breath and descended the staircase. She saw her father talking to Troy in the foyer, obviously waiting for her. Gabriella gave Troy a small smile and pulled her black heels on. Troy looked ridiculously cute in his black dress pants and a royal blue button up shirt with a black blazer on top. The colour of the shirt brought out his eyes.

Troy held his breath as Gabriella made her way down the stairs. She looked absolutely beautiful. He felt his heart melt when she smiled at him. He suddenly felt underdressed standing next to her. When she reached the bottom of the steps, he handed her the wild flowers that he had brought. Gabriella gave her dad a hug and took Troy's extended hand.

"Bye, Mama, Daddy."

"I'll have her home by eleven, Mr. Montez. Bye."

Troy led Gabriella out to his truck and helped her into the passenger seat. She smiled gratefully at him and carefully buckled her seatbelt. Troy went around the truck and got into the driver's seat, starting the truck.

"So, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

Troy looked over at Gabriella and saw her pouting.

"Oh, don't do that, Gabi! It'll ruin the surprise."

Gabriella stuck her lip out for more effect, causing Troy to groan.

"I'm not going to give in. You'll just have to wait."

Gabriella pretended to sulk and turned away from him, looking out the window.

"You look beautiful tonight, Gabi."

Gabriella felt the heat rise in her cheeks at Troy's comment. She turned to face him again.

"Thank you. You look really good, too."

"Thanks."

After ten minutes of a comfortable silence, Troy turned into a dirt road, confusing Gabriella.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise. I thought we already went through this?"

Gabriella pouted again as Troy chuckled. He pulled up into a clearing and Gabriella's eyes widened when she saw where they were.

"Oh, wow! It's beautiful, Troy!"

Troy parked his truck and got out, walking around to Gabriella's side to open her door. He helped her step out of the truck and she turned to look out at the sandy beach. Her eyes widened when she saw a clear tent that covered a picnic blanket. She turned to Troy who just grinned at her.

"You like it?"

Gabriella gave him a large smile.

"I love it!"

Gabriella giggled as she took off her heels and ran to the tent. She stepped inside and placed her heels in a corner. She looked out at the calming water, glad that it was a warm sunny day. The sun was still shining brightly because of the time of year. She felt Troy sit down beside her and turned to face him, wrapping her slender arms around his neck.

"This is amazing. Thank you."

Troy wrapped his arms around Gabriella also.

"Not as amazing as you."

Gabriella pulled away, blushing. She heard a car pull up and was surprised to see Sharpay step out of the driver's seat. She turned to Troy, silently asking why Sharpay was there. Troy got up and pulled Gabriella up with him, leading her out to Sharpay's car.

"Hey, Shar."

Gabriella looked at Troy, surprised that he was talking to Sharpay Evans.

"Hey, Troy, Gabriella. I brought the stuff for you, Troy."

She pulled put a large basket and Troy's guitar case. She handed them to Troy, who smiled his thanks to her.

"Thanks."

Gabriella watched, utterly confused, as Troy and Sharpay casually talked to each other.

"What is going on?"

Troy turned to Gabriella, noticing her confusion.

"You okay, Gabi?"

Gabriella nodded, still confused.

"I'm fine. Confused, but fine."

Sharpay giggled.

"You might wanna explain this one, Troy."

Troy looked at Gabriella and smiled.

"Sharpay and I are friends now. She apologized about everything and we agreed that we are better as just friends. She's just helping me set this all up."

Gabriella turned to Sharpay and smiled. Sharpay smiled back, seeing as Gabriella obviously had accepted Troy's explanation.

"I want to say sorry to you, too, Gabriella. What I did to you was wrong and extremely mean. I would like to be friends with you as well."

Gabriella smiled and shocked the blonde by hugging her.

"We're friends."

Troy watched as Gabriella accepted Sharpay's apology and hugged her, accepting her as a friend as well. Sharpay squeezed her new friend back before letting go.

"Well, I gotta go. I have a date of my own. Have fun, you two!

"Bye, Sharpay."

"Bye, Shar. Thanks for the help."

"No problem. I owe you."

Sharpay got into the driver's seat of her black BMW and drove off, leaving Troy and Gabriella on the beach. Troy walked back to the tent and Gabriella followed him. Troy set the basket and his guitar in the tent and sat down on the blanket. Gabriella joined him and looked out at the water again. She felt Troy's eyes on her and turned her head to look at him.

"What?"

Troy smiled.

"You're amazing, you know?"

Gabriella blushed and played with her hands in her lap.

"Um, thanks."

"I don't understand how you can be so forgiving. You forgave me after all the crap I put you through. You forgave Sharpay after everything she's done to hurt you. You are something special, Gabi."

Gabriella smiled at Troy, looking into his blue eyes.

"Thanks, Troy."

Troy smiled back and reached for the basket.

"You hungry?"

Gabriella nodded.

"Extremely."

Troy laughed and started pulling containers out of the large picnic basket. Gabriella smiled when she saw all the food in front of her. Troy handed her a paper plate.

"Dig in."

Gabriella giggled and filled her plate with little sandwiches, fruit and cookies. Troy handed her a juice box and she accepted it, flashing him a smile.

"Thanks, Troy. This is amazing."

"It wasn't just me. Sharpay and my aunt helped. Zeke baked the cookies. He's an amazing baker. I just cut up the fruit. I haven't quite mastered the art of cooking yet."

Gabriella giggled and Troy joined her with his own chuckles. The two sat and ate their dinner, occasionally talking and laughing. When they had finished eating, Troy packed all of the containers and garbage back into the basket. He placed his guitar case beside him and popped open the latches. Gabriella looked at him with interest as he pulled his guitar out. He played with the tuning pegs until it sounded right.

"Um, Gabi, I wrote this for you a while ago. I know I'm not that great a singer but... Here it goes."

Troy cleared his throat and started playing the beginning of his song.

It's her hair and her eyes today

That just simply take me away

And the feeling that I'm falling further in love makes me shiver

But in a good way.

All the times I have sat and stared

As she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair

And she purses her lips,

Bats her eyes

And she plays with me,

Sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say.

Cause I love her with all that I am

And my voice shakes along with my hands

Cause she's all that I see

And she's all that I need

And I'm out of my league once again.

It's a masterful melody

When she calls out my name to me

As the world spins around her

She laughs,

Close her eyes

And I feel like I'm falling

But it's no surprise.

Cause I love her with all that I am

And my voice shakes along with my hands

Cause it's frightening to be

Swimming in this strange sea

But I'd rather be here than on land.

Yes she's all that I see

And she's all that I need

And I'm out of my league once again.

Troy couldn't find the courage to look at Gabriella the whole time he sang, but when he finished, he took a deep breath and looked her in the eye.

"I love you, Gabi."

Gabriella looked at Troy as he finished his song. He was smiling at her but his face fell when he saw the look on hers.

"She didn't like it. I knew it was a bad idea."

"Gabriella?"

"You promised."

Gabriella had said it so quietly that he didn't hear her.

"What?"

Gabriella looked him in the eye, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You promised. You promised me, Troy that you wouldn't fall in love with me."

Troy watched helplessly as Gabriella's tears fell onto the blanket.

"But, why? Why did you make me promise you that?"

"What is going on? Why is she crying? Why did I make that promise in the first place?"

Gabriella could no longer look at Troy, so she turned away.

"I'm sorry you broke your promise, Troy."

She got up walked out of the tent, leaving a confused and heartbroken Troy behind.

"Why, Gabi? Why?"

A single tear rolled down Troy's cheek.

"I opened up and gave my heart away and I get it back broken and stomped on."

♪

I almost cried! So close! I'm not really an emotional person...

Jay