Chapter Two: Surprise

"What do you think?", Gabriella walked into the centre of the room and turned on the spot. Troy's mouth dropped open at the sight of his girlfriend. She was wearing a full length, strapless dress in a pale yellow colour which formed a train at the back and tiered upwards until it was just above her knees at the front, showing off her slim legs. It had a black sash in the centre to pull in her small waist. Her deep brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in perfect curls, framing her gorgeous face.

"Troy?", Gabriella had a nervous look on her face, "Why aren't you saying anything? Does it not look good? Should I go and change?"

Troy walked over to his girlfriend and pulled her in close to him before lowering himself slightly to whisper in her ear, "You have never looked more beautiful".

Gabriella's face broke into a wide grin as Troy took her hand and lead her outside to the small, silver car he had recently managed to get hold of second hand. He opened the door for her and gestured her into the car which she gracefully lowered herself into. Troy closed the door and walked around to his side, sat in the driver seat and started the engine. Before driving off, Troy turned to Gabriella. He gave her a smile and a quick wink which made her heart melt. The engine roared as they drove off to celebrate.

...

The engine of the van stuttered into life, choking on the toxic fumes it was heaving out. The vehicle remained still.

"What are we waiting for? Go, go, go!"

"Wait", a low voice hissed in reply.

"I'm sick of waiting! Let's do this! Now!"

"Wait", the same voice repeated.

"Why?"

"Because, Turner, the fun is in the chase", Banes turned to look at his accomplice and grinned nastily. He raised both of his hands, fingers extended and began to lower them slowly one by one.

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

As the final finger snapped into his palm, Banes turned wordlessly and placed his hands on the steering wheel. The van noisily spluttered into motion and drove slowly towards the intended destination.

...

"Woah, Sharpay really goes all out doesn't she?", Troy sounded impressed as they walked up to the regal building that their friend had chosen to host her 21st birthday party in. It was carved entirely out of stone cut into intricate patterns and there were pillars of solid gold setting it off. As they entered the foyer, the room was draped entirely in white silk and there were red velvet sofas lining the wall.

"GUYS! You're here!", Troy and Gabriella heard a loud screeching voice and saw Sharpay enter the room and totter towards them on 5 inch silver heels. She stood out in a bright pink dress made entirely of dyed ostrich feathers – extravagant as ever.

"Sharpay, you look. . .Amazing!", Gabriella said, "Doesn't she, Troy?"

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. You look. . .nice, Sharpay. It's an interesting dress. . ."

"I know right?", Sharpay smiled. She forced herself between the couple, hooked on to one of each of their elbows and dragged them through from the foyer into the room in which her party was being held, gabbling at them endlessly until finally, they entered and were able to sit down at the long table, lined with favours, confetti, candles and fine china.

"Just in time!", Sharpay squeaked.

Troy and Gabriella caught sight of their friends from across the room – Ryan, Chad, Taylor, Kelsie and Zeke – standing together and talking. As they arrived they all turned to smile and wave at them. The couple were just about to make their way over to the group when they were abruptly interrupted.

"The meal is about to be served", a loud male voice sounded and doors surrounding the room opened, giving way to several waiters carrying food laden silver platters.

...

The van pulled up in a dark side alley. The buildings were cracked and creaking with mould growing down their sides, making the whole place smell of damp.

"Some place to have a party", Turner said.

"Don't be ridiculous", Banes snapped, "Of course it isn't here. Do you really think we could pull this off if we were in broad daylight in the middle of a car park of one of the most prestigious venues in the state? We wait here"

"Why would she come back here?", Turned asked, confused.

"Oh, she will come. Trust me", Banes voice was dark and mysterious, "Just wait".

Banes pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and began to dial. He turned to face Turner, who looked like he may have been on the verge of saying something, and raised his finger to his lips. The dialling tone finished and a quiet din sounded from the phone's small speaker.

"Hello?"

"Ms Montez?"

...

The night so far had been more fun than Troy and Gabriella had expected. The food was gorgeous and all of their friends were there with them. Despite the overly flamboyant setting, the distinctively aristocratic company kept by some of the guests and a regular shriek sounding from the top of the table signalling Sharpay wanted attention, the evening was going well.

Suddenly, there was a clinking of glasses. Sharpay had stood up and was banging the side of her champagne glass with a fork to get everyone's attention. When this seemed to go unnoticed and people continued their conversations, Sharpay yelled down the table.

"SHUT UP!", everyone fell silent and looked towards her, she smiled and continued, "I just wanted to say a few words now that all of you are here about how much this means to me that you're here to celebrate my birthday"

She drew out a roll of paper from her chair and let it drop. There was a very long scroll – presumably signalling a very long speech. The group of friends looked at eachother and there was a consensus of eyebrow raising, eye rolling and sighing. Troy stood up.

"Sharpay, if you don't mind me interrupting, I have something I'd like to say before your speech"

Sharpay looked somewhat put out by this as she had clearly been preparing for a long time, but she sighed and nodded. As she sat back down, Troy began to speak.

"I just wanted to say a quick word – and as I'm guessing it will be much quicker than Sharpay's, I think I should say it now", everyone laughed at the joke Troy had made, even Sharpay although her giggle was terse and combined with tutting and her face reddened.

Troy continued, "I just wanted to say something to my absolutely beautiful girlfriend here, Gabriella Montez", Gabriella turned a delicate shade of pink with the embarrassment of Troy complimenting her so openly, she tried to tug him back into his seat with he laughed and continued.

"She's very modest as well, as you can tell. Those are just two of the amazing qualities that make Gabriella the most wonderful person I know. She's not just my girlfriend, she's my best friend and my soul mate and I love her with all of my heart. I've been waiting a long time to say this, but I think this is the opportune moment"

Troy smiled down at his girlfriend who looked back at him with misty eyes. He bent down on to one knee.

"Ohmygod", Gabriella felt light headed.

"Gabriella. . ."

Just then, a ringtone sounded out and Gabriella felt a vibration on her hip. Her phone was ringing. This was the worst moment for it to happen but her father had been in hospital recently and she knew that any phone call could have been a case of life or death. She looked apologetically at Troy and said that she really had to answer. He nodded and sat back on his cahir as the rest of the guests returned to talking.

"Hello?", Gabriella spoke into the phone.

She couldn't hear any reply from the speaker.

"Hello? Is anyone there?", she could just about make out a voice mumbling into the phone on the other end, "I'm sorry, I just can't hear you!"

Troy poked Gabriella in the ribs, she turned around and he spoke to her, "Let's go outside. There's some convention going on outside in the car park by the looks of it but there's a little alley by the back door that should be pretty quiet, if you like"

Gabriella spoke into the phone to signal she was going to go somewhere quieter and would call back quickly before hanging up. As she made to leave the room, Tory stood up next to her and followed her.

"Troy, you really don't have to come with me, I won't be long", she smiled.

He touched her arm gently, "I know, but I'd rather be wherever you are than anywhere else"

She smiled up at him, "Troy. . .Just then, in the room, you were about to ask something"

"Yes", he replied, smiling.

"What was it? I mean, was it what I think. . .Was it?", Gabriella bit her lip.

He smiled mischievously, "Don't you have a call to make?"

Gabriella growled at him in annoyance but then laughed and the couple made their way outside. Troy placed his hand on the handle of the back door, twisted it down and pushed the door open for Gabriella. She stepped through the door and turned back to look at Troy but as she did, she felt a blow on her back. Her phone flew out of her hand. Gabriella turned to see what had happened but before she did she felt a large pair of arms wrap around her and tug her backwards. Troy yelled out somewhere but she had lost sight of him.

Someone had her and no doubt, they had gotten Troy too. What was going to happen to them?