Here it is! I personally think this chapter is good: perhaps the perfect ending. But, the other half of me is very self-concious about it. Please please let me know what you think? Just be honest. I can take it, I promise. :)

Also, I think I might do a "conclusion" of sorts for this too, so keep one ear open. Please and thank you!

-ssn

Nothing Still

Part Six

Gabriella stared at the cake for a while.

It was chocolate, her favorite, with creamy vanilla frosting. It would have looked appetizing, if she had an appetite. She didn't. So Gabriella didn't eat it. She pushed the plate away, and rather, stared at the far less interesting table cloth. However, she did keep the silver fork to absentmindedly twirl between her fingers, while the reception carried on around her.

In the end, Sharpay and Troy had decided to forgive Gabriella and invited her to enjoy the reception afterward.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness," Gabriella had admitted.

"No," Sharpay had sighed and ran her hands down the front of her gown, "you don't. But I'm going to forgive you anyway."

Gabriella sniffled, "Why?"

"Because the Gabriella Montez I knew is still in there somewhere, and I still love her." She'd smiled and Gabriella wept yet again. This time, it was tears of joy, gratefulness.

Now, as Gabriella sat dully at the table, she wondered why she didn't feel happy. As a matter of fact, she wasn't feeling anything. She was just empty and tired. It had been the longest day, and all her emotions were spent. But that wasn't all there was to it, Gabriella knew.

She had been relieved to find she wasn't truly in love with Troy. But with that gone, she realized: she didn't love anything else either. Gabriella's life had revolved around pursuing him, and longing him, and nothing else. That painful part was over, thankfully, but a large hole had been cut out of her because of it. What were her plans now? She didn't have an answer. Because she didn't have any.

Pulling her out of her thoughts, Ryan gently touched her bare shoulder. She shivered and looked up at him. He had just returned from a trip to the serving table. Apparently, he hadn't forgotten Gabriella in that aspect. Ryan placed a flute of pale champagne before her, sipping his own elegantly. Gabriella almost rolled her eyes at the thought.

Everything Ryan Evans did was elegant. Smooth. Daring. Like a cool mist gliding across your skin, raising the hairs on the back of your neck, sending goosebumps down your arms.

He sat down in the chair beside her.

"So, how is Cinderella this fine evening?"

Gabriella glanced at the flute and suddenly downed it in one gulp. She shook her head dizzily from the tingle sensation fluttering through her blood. Ryan raised his brows and laughed. Gabriella smiled at him.

"Cinderella just had a glass of champagne and is still prince-less. Typical." She rolled her eyes and settled back into her chair.

"You've just been looking in all the wrong places, is all."

Gabriella glanced his way and snorted.

"Sorry, there aren't any castles around where I live, just a pizza plaza. I don't have too many options." Ryan smiled slowly.

"Have you ever seen Beauty and the Beast?"

"Of course. Who hasn't?"

"Well, sometimes: a prince doesn't have the appearance of one. But he can be your savior, if given the opportunity. However, you'll never know unless you take a chance on him."

Gabriella stared at him. "Well, if he's my savior, shouldn't he just swoop in and rescue me already? Does he need an engraved invitation?" she snorted again.

Ryan shrugged, "Maybe he's just as scared of saving you as you are of being saved."

Gabriella snapped up, "What?" Instantly, she had a headache and winced. Too much too fast: emotionally and alcoholically. She laughed, "This fairytale talk is giving me a headache."

"Actually, Cinderella," he leaned forward and pulled back her empty flute, "that would be the champagne—however, I do agree: fairytales are nauseating." He rolled his eyes in disgust. Gabriella didn't mention the two flutes she'd downed before he'd even given her that one.

She giggled at him instead.

Just then, a soft calming tune floated in from the dance floor. It was a lover's song. Sweet, and slow. Sharpay and Troy were already out there, dancing together. Gabriella smiled at them.

To Gabriella: slow dancing was like an embrace set to music. Perfect and beautiful. Her eyes moved away when a warm touch rippled through her fingers. She looked up and witnessed Ryan pulling her out of her seat. Without words, he led her to the dance floor and held her close. Gabriella laid her head against his chest, and closed her eyes, possessed by her exhaustion.

Now, she felt something.

Peace.

They swayed like that for a long time. Every so often, Ryan's fingers grazed her back and she would get chills. It didn't bother her. He was her best friend—he didn't need an excuse to be affectionate. In fact, Gabriella kind of liked it. In all the time she knew him, Ryan had never been rough with her—ever. Sure, he was plenty sarcastic and blunt occasionally. But he treated her like a queen, day in and day out. He was delicate with Gabriella. And she appreciated that now more than ever.

Finally, the song ended.

Ryan and she stopped swaying, but they had yet to let go of each other. It lasted for a few moments and then a wave of nausea hit Gabriella. She looked up at him, weary.

"I … think … I need some air."

He nodded and let her go. But as Gabriella moved closer to the exit doors, the queasy feeling deepened. She broke out into a run. Gabriella pushed through the double doors and puked on the sidewalk instantly. She moaned and ducked her head between her knees. Suddenly, Ryan burst through the doors too. Upon seeing her vomit, he grimaced.

"Oh," he laughed and came to her side. "You had a little more than one glass, huh?" He pulled her hair back and had a hand rubbing her back comfortingly.

"Maybe just a—" she retched again.

"Ooh, okay, sweetheart. No more champagne for you."

"Well, duh," Gabriella's voice was thick. Blowing out a sigh, she swiped at her mouth.

"Here," Ryan said, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a tin of mints. He opened the lid and held it out to Gabriella. Ryan always cared for her—no matter the circumstances. Grunting, she pulled out a few and popped them in her mouth.

She stretched her body back to shape and came to rest in Ryan's arms. She could barely hold herself up, so he did it for her. The two stood under the stars. But just then, the stars turned to water droplets and the rain came pouring down. They were already tucked safe under the buildings thin awning. Gabriella giggled.

"I love the rain, don't you?" She smiled despite her unsettled stomach.

"Actually, I don't." Gabriella shifted her face up to gaze at his, confused. Ryan looked back at her and shrugged.

"Always so cynical, Ryan." She paused and watched him seriously. "Why?"

Ryan took in a deep breath. "Reality has never been a friend to me."

"Hm—maybe you're just not looking in the right places." She grinned and Ryan chuckled. Gabriella shifted against him, head tucked safely into his chest.

"Well, that's the thing about reality, Gabriella," he looked at her with tired eyes, "you don't get to choose."

Gabriella frowned and took a heavy breath. She'd known this all along, of course. But hearing it said so softly, so vulnerably: it hurt. It was as if she'd just realized it for the first time. Tears welled up in her eyes, knowing she had experienced the very pain earlier.

"That's so sad," she moaned. Ryan held her tighter.

"That's why sarcasm was created. It helps us laugh about what we can't ever change." He laughed a little, but Gabriella continued to dwell upon the shocking truth of his words.

A tear slowly made its way down her cheek. She didn't think she had anything left inside, but her sympathy for Ryan, for anyone that always got the short end of the stick was just too strong.

Gabriella had always known Ryan had been heartbroken before, but it wasn't her own reality—she couldn't have gauged the extent of his suffering. But she found out today just how badly the healing of a crushed heart hurts—she couldn't imagine being in this kind of pain more than once. But Ryan, he'd told her before of the few women that took a toll on him. Now, his stories weighed on her heavily. She knew what it was really like, and she couldn't stand to think he'd been through it too.

"I promise, Ryan," she looked up at him suddenly, "I'll never break your heart."

She expected him to smile and return the sentiment, but he just stared at her. Gabriella noticed a flicker of pain run across his face. She pulled away.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said quietly. He laughed next, "Just stop disappearing on me, okay? I never know what goes on up there," he motioned to her head. Gabriella smiled.

"Sorry. I guess that was probably weird."

Ryan smiled finally.

"So," Gabriella sighed, feeling the need for a subject change, "how was the wedding? Were they sickeningly sweet, as always?"

Ryan looked away, causing Gabriella's smile to become short-lived.

"I don't know. I wasn't there."

"What do you mean?"

"I was nursing you back to health," he laughed. But when she didn't respond with her usual back-bite, he suddenly became red in the face. He ducked his head and kicked his shoe against the pavement. Gabriella had never seen him flustered before.

"But Sharpay's your sister—your twin sister."

"I couldn't just leave you there..."

"And you missed her wedding for someone that kissed the groom—why would you do that?"

Ryan snapped his head up and locked eyes with her. In a beat of silence, something passed over his face. And that's when Gabriella gasped, quietly. She knew that look. She seen it in her own eyes everyday. It was one of pining. All of a sudden, a realization plummeted onto her. Blood rushed to Gabriella's cheeks. She couldn't breathe. Because now she understood.

Ryan was in love with her.

"I don't know if you've noticed," he spoke quietly, "but I'm not exactly impartial when it comes to you, Gabriella."

A sticky silence covered them.

"But I..." she didn't even know what she wanted to say.

They shuffled in the quiet. But the awkwardness would not leave. Gabriella breathed in, breathed out. She was trying to wrap her mind around the idea, but there were so many questions.

Maybe Ryan just had an intense affection for her. In her heart, she knew that was only a cover-up. The look in his eyes had not lied. And if she ignored the obvious like she had with Troy and Sharpay—it would end just as badly, maybe worse. She'd already lost something with them—could she stand to lose Ryan too? She already knew she couldn't. But would she if she didn't return his feelings? Did she return his feelings? Gabriella had always seen him as a good friend, her best friend. What did that mean?

All Gabriella knew was that she was scared.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," she whispered.

She'd said this because she realized that she had. All those times when she was longing for Troy—a man that didn't love her back—Ryan had to suffer. She hadn't even noticed him. And oh God, he was there for her through everything. He pushed aside his feelings for her benefit. No matter how many times she gushed over Troy, hated Troy, tried to get Troy back—Ryan picked up her pieces over and over again. She promised she'd never break his heart, but she already had.

Gabriella sucked back her sudden sobs. She held her trembling fingers against her pale lips. She was crying but she couldn't hold back the words that next fell from her mouth.

"You're my best friend, Ryan," she whimpered thickly. "I love you but I … can't … I don't know—"

Gabriella looked up and suddenly saw that Ryan was now standing directly in front of her. He was very close, staring in her eyes. She gulped and couldn't look away. "I … I..."

Ryan leaned down, then, taking her face gently in his hands, and kissed her. It wasn't a small peck: the kind that friends occasionally bestow. It was a lover's kiss. It was the type of kiss Gabriella had tried to give Troy only hours ago. It spoke a thousand words. And those words said: I've wanted to do this for so long, and I'm determined to make you believe in us.

With that languid kiss, Gabriella knew something new and incredible blossomed between them. And so she let it happen.

When they finally parted, Gabriella was breathless, tears stained her face. Then she gazed up at Ryan. She couldn't move. Gabriella suddenly realized how similar they were. She and he each had only half a heart inside. But what if they fit together? Ryan had always known they would. He had been waiting for her love: the love she wanted Troy to have. In an instant, Gabriella came to another conclusion.

She didn't want Troy to have it anymore.

She wanted Ryan to.

Ryan still held her face, tucking her curls behind her ears.

"I know this is sud—"

Gabriella connected their lips again. She kissed him once: simple and sweet, a mere brush. And then again, she kissed him. But it was much slower, longer, intimate. An electric shiver soared through her body. She hoped Ryan was melting just as fast as she was.

The kiss ended. A pink blush spread across Ryan's cheeks. He looked at her, shocked, unable to contain his smile. His hands wrapped around her waist on instinct. It was rainy and cold outside, but Gabriella felt hot and flushed. She bit her lip, waiting for Ryan's full reaction.

"I never thought I'd see the day," he whispered. He laughed, "Much less on this day."

Gabriella smiled softly. "I didn't think I felt this way about you..." She looked down. Ryan once again lifted her face to his.

"How do you feel, Gabriella?"

She blushed, "I feel...," she let a beat pass, "I feel my heart beating." Ryan pressed his forehead to hers and wrapped his arms around her. Tears pricked her eyes, but she giggled. "I feel everything. I haven't felt anything in so long, and now I," she smiled at him, "I feel it for you."

"Is that okay?" he asked in a breathy tone. "Are you okay with us?"

Gabriella nodded.

"I want this, Ryan. I want you and me to be together." She blushed again. "Are you okay with it too? Is it too soon?"

Ryan laughed and spun her around, "It's not soon enough!" Gabriella giggled as he set her back down.

Suddenly, a sound floated towards them from the dance floor. It was an addictive melody, and Ryan's eyes lit up.

"We're dancing," he commanded. "Now." He took her hand.

She couldn't object as he pushed back through the double doors, Gabriella in tow. Her feet were aching, her eyes sizzled, and the breath in her chest didn't want to come out. And still she couldn't say no. She wanted to go with him. Anywhere.

They entered the building and Ryan shrugged off his jacket, tossing it on a random table. Gabriella laughed. He took her wrist and drug her towards the floor.

As soon as her heels clicked on the hard wood floor, the infectious beat engulfed her and flooded the area. Suddenly, a crowd grew and everyone was floating to the sound. Gabriella giggled, surprised, and then caught sight of Ryan. His hips twirled like he'd been born from Mexican descent. Gabriella's lips parted. She had forgotten what an incredible, irresistible dancer he was. She giggled louder, and felt her body sway unexpectedly. In that instant, the sound finally infiltrated her system. She moved, so overcome, like she had never moved before. She let go.

Ryan grinned at her and pulled on her elbows, placing her hands on his waist. She laughed, gasping at him. Normally, she'd have felt awkward at this—but everything had suddenly changed. She loved it. She loved him.

Enrique Iglesias screamed through the speakers, "Baby I like it!" Ryan wiggled his brows and she laughed. When the line echoed back, Gabriella mouthed the words to him. He made a "well, alright then" face and suddenly, held the back of her neck, dipped to her the floor and swung her back. Gabriella felt dizzy and lovestruck immediately after. She gaped at him for a split second. But then Ryan pressed up against her and they sambaed around the room. She was too busy staring in his eyes to even see anything else.

When the right sound hit, Ryan linked fingers, they stretched out, connected by their gripped hands and spun. Gabriella ran and ran to keep the force moving, her feet tap-tapped constantly, too fast to even keep up. Roaring with laughter, she couldn't hold on anymore. Her fingers slipped from his and she flew back, landing on her butt with a thunk. Ryan and she couldn't stop laughing. He ran over to her and helped her up.

Gabriella laid a hand on her sweaty forehead. "I think I'm a little dizzy," she giggled.

"That's calls for more champagne."

She chuckled and poked him, "Take me to my seat."

Ryan smiled, turned around and held his hands behind his back. She knotted her fingers through his and he led them through the maze of dancers, back to their table. It was just as well, the song had ended. Even so, the electricity between she and Ryan still hadn't left.

Gabriella doubted it would ever leave.

She could feel it in her chest. Nothing could be more right than she and Ryan being together. She'd always loved him—but now, it was a deeper love, a real love. Gabriella thought back on she and Troy. What she had always assumed to be love, was nothing compared to this. She knew that, finally, she found someone she could count on. Gabriella would never have to worry she'd lose Ryan; because she had him before even she knew it.

What had started as the worst day of her life turned out to be the best. Just hours ago, she was suffering, stuck in a lovesick limbo. She'd wasted two years of her life, pining after nothing. She almost broke up a wedding: and got nothing still. But then she rediscovered Ryan. He turned her life around in one moment of truth. And Gabriella was confident he was the one she'd love forever. With him, she could expect everything.

Finally, she had a future.