Almost Paradise

Gabriella walked into the large studio nervously to see Adam Shankman, Bill, the producer, and the casting director. "Hi."

"Hello Emily, come on in, it's nice to meet you," Adam replied.

"You too," she replied sweetly.

"Troy just stepped out for a moment, as soon as he comes back we'll begin," Adam replied.

"Troy?" Gabriella asked in shock and confusion.

"Yes, you know the Troy that you starred in High School Musical 3 with?" Adam laughed and Gabriella's heart sank into her stomach. At that moment everything just stopped, she had no idea what to do or say, but she did know that she couldn't look upset.

"Oh…wow…okay," Gabriella said in shock, but tried to cover it up by laughing.

"Sorry about that guys." Gabriella whipped her head around to see Troy walk in. Her body tensed up and butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she saw him for the first time since they went their separate ways.

"It's okay," Adam replied. "Troy you know Gabriella." Troy turned his head and froze, taking in the sight of the beautiful girl that he hadn't seen in 3 years.

"Of course, wow…long time no see," he fake laughed.

"Yeah," she replied with a fake smile.

"Well let's do it then!" Adam exclaimed, getting out of his seat, and walking towards them.

"I can't believe this," she mumbled to herself as Troy stood next to her.

"Not my fault," he replied and she just rolled her eyes.

"Ok, I'm gonna teach you a few 8 counts, we'll see how you two dance together," Adam said and they nodded. He began to teach them and as they learned the partner section to Footloose they did not say one word to each other.

"Ok, you guys got it?" Adam asked about 20 minutes later and they both nodded.

"I swear to god if you drop me," Gabriella grumbled.

"What you don't trust me?" he asked.

"Why would I ever trust you," she shot back and he sighed. Just then the music started to play.

"5,6,7,8," Adam said and they began to dance. Within 15 seconds, everyone's jaws dropped. Their anger toward each other had translated into intense passion, and as it turns out, the chemistry between them had not decreased one bit. The song ended, and they hit their final pose, pushed up against each other. After staring at each other for a few moments, Troy smirked and she glared at him, before pulling away.

"Wow that was amazing, have you two always had so much chemistry?" the casting director asked. They looked at each other awkwardly and shrugged.

"Well you guys dance really well together, but I wanna see how you guys sound together. Can you do Another Paradise?" Adam asked. They nodded and stood next to each other.

"Great. Music," Adam called.

The music started and Gabriella and Troy began to sing, looking into each other's eyes. Chills ran through Gabriella's body when he took her hands in his, as he was told to do. However, he was never instructed to intertwine his fingers with hers, but he couldn't help but do it out of instinct. Everybody else noticed this, and they in no way had a problem with it. Gabriella was trying as hard as she possibly could to not break into tears when he sang his part of the love song to her. He noticed this, and he squeezed her hand supportively. They pulled away from each other, and neither would ever admit that a feeling of emptiness came across them. When they stepped towards each other, Gabriella wrapped her arms around his waist. She looked up at him and he placed his hands on her arms and moved them up and down as they sang the last few lines of the song and her hands moved to his chest. They sang the last note and Troy placed his hand on her cheek, looking into her eyes.

"Well…ok then," Adam said in shock. Realizing that there were four other people in the room, they jumped apart and faced the table.

"I think we can all say that you two are amazing together," the producer said.

"Thanks," they mumbled awkwardly.

"Just out of curiosity, when was the last time you two saw each other?" Adam asked.

"Umm the High School Musical 3 premiere," Gabriella replied in a small voice.

"Which was when?"

"Uhh…" Troy said and looked at Gabriella. "Three years ago?" Gabriella nodded.

"Why?" she asked.

"Well the fact that you two have that much chemistry after not seeing each other for 3 years is pretty mind-blowing."

"Umm well…you know…" Troy said nervously, "we still knew each other…sooo…"

"Yeah," Gabriella agreed.

"Ok," Adam replied, although he knew there was something they weren't telling him.

"Anyways, that's all, thank you Gabriella. We'll be in touch."

"Ok, thanks, umm…good seeing you Troy," she mumbled before walking out. As soon as she walked out, tears started pouring down her face. Once she approached her car she heard her name. She turned around to see Troy jogging towards her. She quickly wiped away her tears.

"Troy, please, don't do this," she begged as soon as he approached her.

"We're gonna have to do it sometime," he replied.

"Why do you say that?"

"How are we gonna be love interests if we don't sort this out," he replied and she sighed and looked down. "You didn't let me explain Gabriella."

"There's nothing to explain Troy."

"But there is Gabriella!"

"Whatever the explanation is Troy, it's not gonna change the fact that you lied to me! I'll never be able to forgive you for that," she said sadly before getting in her car and driving off. Troy sighed as she left him standing there, hopeless, just like she had done 3 years earlier.

Comments Please!!! Sorry it's short, I'll try to make the other ones longer. Next...a different side of Gabriella is revealed. And don't forget to check out my new story, 'I Know What It's Like.'