Hey everyone! I haven't talked to you guys in a long time! Well, I would like to start off by saying thank you for reading my story and sending in all your reviews! They really help inspire me!

Next off, I would like to dispell rumors about Zanessa breaking-up. Supposably, they "split up after the MTV Music Awards during a road trip. Reportedly, they borrowed a car for a road trip and got lost in the rain. Zac blamed Vanessa for it and they split." Firstly, I don't think that they would break-up over something so dumb as getting lost. They survived a long distance relationship. Secondly, why would they go on a road trip when they have publicity to do? Thridly, I've heard that it hasn't rained recenly in Cali, so how would they get lost in the rain. And Lastly, I would like to state that Vanessa was too happy at the Heros Event that she attended on Sunday to have broken up with Zac.

But if they did break up, I'm positive that they'll get back together. Have you seen the Hawaii pics? They were so happy together! So, if they did breakup, it'll just be a matter of time before they get back together.

Don't belive any talks of Zanessa being broken up. It was just a rumor started by some tabloid to get attention. I just am dreading the rejoicing the Zashley people will do because of this rumor. But let them have their fun, until they find out that they never broke up.

Okay, now that I've gotten that out of my system (I'm sorry, it just bothers me that people would just start rumors for no reason), here's the next chapter! Did they make enough?

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"Guys..." Taylor turned to look at the gang.

Trevor and Christine bit their lip and Christine buried herself into Trevor's chest. Even though she didn't know Troy and Gabriella well, the thought if their wedding being ruined could crush anyone's heart. Sharpay looked at Ryan who looked at Racheal, who held onto his arm. Chad bit his finger, hoping that they made enough. But the most worried out of everyone was Troy and Gabriella.

"Did we..." Gabriella's voice was just barely over a whisper.

"Make enough Taylor? How much did we make?" Troy asked, holding Gabriella's shoulders tightly.

Taylor looked down at the money and recounted it again. Tension was thick in the air and everyone held their breath. Holding each other's hands, everyone watched Taylor count the money again.

Gabriella rushed over to the table opposite of the room and sat down. Troy followed, catching a tear that fell from her eyes.

"Gabi, what's wrong? Don't you want to know if we made enough?" he said, chasing her.

"Nothing's wrong Troy. These aren't tears of sadness. It's just overwhelming how much support we're getting and how close we all are. Just look at them," she pointed to everyone, "They're just as worried as we are."

"Oh, Gabi, you're just the most compassionate person in the world. And of course they just as worried, but we don't need to worry so much."

"Aren't you worried?"

"Not really...maybe...kinda, but I know that we'll have more than enough," Troy answered in a confident tone. He looked over, "Look, Taylor's finished again, maybe we should head over and let her explain to you that we made more than enough."

"Okay," she replied, drying the tears from her eyes, "Let's go and relieve them of their anxiety."

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"Guys, I've counted and recounted the money..." Taylor said, turning to face them.

"Yeah?"

"And I've come to the conclusion that we've made a great excellent for one night. We should be proud of ourselves."

"God, Taylor, stop stalling," Chad said in exasperation, "Speak English and tell us already!"

"Okay Chad, you can't let a person build up the suspense, can you?" Chad chuckled along with her. "Okay, we made about $550 at the basketball game..."

"Which was over half of the goal," Ryan said.

"And for the show we made..."

Everyone leaned in close, listening carefully for the number that she was about to tell them.

"We made..."

At that exact moment the lights went out and Christine let out a shrill yelp. Everyone froze on the spot, feeling around for something to hold on to, but the only thing that they grabbed was each other.

"Great! Who turned off the lights?" Taylor screamed into the cold darkness.

No response except for the whimpering of Racheal and Christine.

"Does anyone know how to turn the lights back on?" Taylor said to no one in particular.

"There should be an emergency light switch in the corner there," Sharpay said, feeling around for a chair to sit on.

"I think I've seen that switch," Troy replied, "I'll go get it."

"Okay, just hurry. I don't like the dark!" Racheal yelled.

Troy stretched out his hands, groping in the darkness for a wall or something that could guide him. He took a step and tripped on something.

A little cry of pain could be heard.

"I'm sorry Gabi. I didn't mean to step on you."

"That's alright Troy, but I kinda hit my head against something. I think it was the wall," Gabriella responded, rubbing her skull.

"Really? Can you guide me to it?"

"Yeah, just grab my hand."

Feeling around for her outstretched hand, Troy flailed his arms about until he hit something.

"Gabi, did I just hit your hand?"

"Yeah."

"Well, just keep it out, I'll find it again."

"Okay."

Troy reached out into the darkness to where he thought was Gabriella's hand. He felt it again and took a hold of it. He got up and took another step in that direction, only to fall again. Except this time, he landed on top of Gabriella.

"I guess I'm not having the best luck on my feet today, am I?" Troy stated, chuckling.

"I guess not," Gabriella answered.

"At least I landed here with you," Troy whispered seductively.

Gabriella flipped over so that she was on top of Troy and ran a finger along his cheek bones. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Gabriella, even though I can't see you, I can see that smile that you have on," Troy said, his spine shivering as she measured the contours of his silhouette.

Gabriella stopped and laid her head on Troy's chest. She felt it rising and dropping with his every breath and also could hear his heart racing. Smiling, she snuggled closer to his bringing her knees up to her chin, letting them slide past Troy's legs.

"Gabi," Troy whispered, "Do you know how much I want you now?" He enclosed her, wrapping his strong arms around her torso.

"How much, Troy, how much?" she answered, smiling and teasing him by running her finger along the outlines of his muscles.

"You know how much. Gabi, just stop teasing me. You're making it so much harder to wait," he said pleadingly.

"You guys know that we can hear you, right?" Trevor said from out of nowhere.

Troy and Gabriella ignored him, both lost in their own fantasy world. Images of each other flashed in their mind and they grinned in the darkness.

"You want me to stop, huh Troy? But what if I don't want to stop?" Gabriella whispered temptingly, skimming her lips against Troy's cheek.

"I'll just have to make you stop," Troy responded, grinning. A sparkle could be seen in his blue eyes.

He started to tickle her, causing her to laugh uncontrollably. She flipped over, so now Troy was on top of her.

"Troy, why?" she said through her breaths.

"Why what?"

"Why did you have to do that? I was having fun!" she said, her voice full of enjoyment.

"Well, I was in torture. Like I said, you were making it so much harder to wait," Troy replied, lying beside her.

"I'm sorry Troy, but I was having fun," she said into the darkness, feeling that his presence was somewhere else.

"Gabi, I'm to your left," he explained. Somehow, he could tell if she was looking at him or not. "I'm glad you were having fun, but how about sharing that enjoyment?"

Troy reached out and ran his finger along Gabriella's shoulder. She giggled in return and placed her hand on his. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him, pressing her against himself. Gabriella placed her head in Troy's neck and closed her eyes. She could see Troy perfectly.

"Gabi..."

"Yeah, Troy?" She looked up.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Troy leaned down and let his lips make contact with hers. He missed the taste of her lips, the smell of her skin so close to him, the gentleness that she always had when he was around.

"Found it!"

Suddenly the lights came back on. Taylor had made her way around the room and found the light switch. Troy and Gabriella quickly separated but their arms were still interlocked. Everyone slowly got back on their feet.

"Troy, what happened to you finding the light switch?" Ryan asked.

"It's because he was busy with someone else," Trevor answered, "Weren't you, Troy?"

"Well, I tripped and fell if that's what you meant," Troy answered.

"That doesn't matter. Taylor, how much did we make?" Chad asked.

"Oh, that." Taylor took a moment to recollect her thoughts. "We made over...$2000 dollars with the talent show alone!"

Everyone jumped and shouted. Hooted and screamed. Gabriella started tearing up again and ran into Troy's arms.

"Come on Gabi, let's go home."

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Sorry to end the chapter that way, I just couldn't think of any other way to end it. Only three months left to the wedding! What is Gabi going to plan? Find out soon!

With much love,
KAT