Gabriella was nervous. She was beyond nervous and it didn't help that she didn't have the one person that has always been there for her entire life next to her side right now. Gabriella was pacing as she heard one of the other dancers song start up and the song Low echoed throughout the huge theatre. Gabriella tried sitting down and taking deep breaths, she tried talking to Jake to distract her mind, she even tried counting sheep to keep her on her toes, but nothing was working as one by one each nervous girl from ages 12-18 would go out onto the stage and be appraised by the three judges.

Gabriella was one of the last girls to go on so she knew that she had about an hour to wait and it was killing her. She was freaking out, she felt like she was going in it blind. She tried playing her routine over and over in her head and she kept messing up that, and if she couldn't even think about it, how was she expected to dance it?! Gabriella walked over to the side of the backstage where there was a door that lead out into a hallway which would lead to the lobby and the doors to get to your seats. Gabriella looked down the hall one last time before she started pacing again, her mother was no where in sight.

Gabriella heard the audience clapping and cheering very loudly which usually meant that the girl did great, or even better than great, which was a bad sign for Gabriella. Gabriella shut her eyes as she leaned her back against the wall trying to fill her mind with thoughts. Her mom always told her to block out the noise of the audience, and that the noise that they created only meant something if it was made for her. Gabriella felt the cold wall against her lower back reminding her of the first day Troy and her showed the school that they were officially a couple after two years of staring at each other.

Gabriella walked into the school earlier than usually seeing as she couldn't afford a detention with Darbus. Gabriella walked to her locker like normal and started dropping her things off. She couldn't keep the smile off of her face as she thought back to Sunday the previous day and how surprised she was that Troy surprised her by bringing her lunch to the studios and how the two just messed around for about an hour before Troy just situated himself in the back of the room just watching Gabriella practice her almost finished routine.

Gabriella put her brown lunch bag on her highest shelf in her locker remembering how Troy somehow convinced Gabriella with kisses to stay for lunch at school before she skips cooking class or goes to the library to finish up her homework. Gabriella knew that this week was going to be hectic with her working her ass off to get ready for the competition in a week, and Troy and her really won't be able to do anything at nighttime after his work outs to stay in shape for basketball, but after this competition Gabriella and her mom will work out a steady practice schedule so that they won't forget anymore competitions and Gabriella will still be able to spend time with Troy…hopefully, Gabriella hasn't really told her mom yet about the whole girlfriend/boyfriend thing. But in all fairness, Gabriella hasn't even told Taylor or Jake yet about her and Troy, so her mom couldn't get mad.

Gabriella shut her locker and before she could turn to walk towards Troy's locker knowing he would just be getting in from his morning jog with his dad and some other jocks, Gabriella felt two arms slip around her waist from behind. Her smile turned into a confused one seeing as they didn't feel like Troy's, their hands were a little rougher. Gabriella turned around and her face went into shock mode as she came face to face with Brent.

Gabriella didn't even bother to hide the fact that she was shocked as she stepped back and Brent's arms dropped from her body and just dangled there. Brent gave Gabriella a smile as he leaned up against the locker that was right by Gabriella. Gabriella looked at him with raised eye brows wondering what the hell he was doing in the first place touching her?

"Hey Gabriella." Brent said in a smooth cool voice that almost made Gabriella step back more. It was kind of creeping her out that he was this close and barely anyone was in the halls right now. But that was just like a sixth sense now right, her getting crept out by other guys talking to her alone since she has a boyfriend? No…Gabriella knew that wasn't it, but it was a good excuse for now to keep her nerves and worries down.

"Hey Brent." Gabriella said as she looked over his shoulder to see the path that she would take to get to Troy's locker where he said that he would wait for her with Chad and Taylor. Brent didn't say anything and Gabriella looked at him quizzically and knew that she was running late now. "Um…" Gabriella motioned behind him by pointing a finger and side stepping him as he too turned around to follow Gabriella. "I have to get going so can you make this quick." Gabriella more like stated than asked.

"Yeah…sure." Brent said as they fell into sink with each other and Gabriella couldn't help but feel a little awkward again.

Gabriella felt his hand brush up against hers and thought that was a bold move on his part since the two have barely talked, they just hung out with the same group of friends occasionally. Gabriella pulled her arm away and switched the side her bag was resting on so that Brent wouldn't do that again.

"Um…so what's up?" Gabriella asked as they turned the corner and Gabriella looked ahead knowing that they only had to go down about halfway and she could already see Troy talking to Chad and Taylor with his back to her.

"Well I saw you at Tyson Beach over the weekend…" Gabriella noticed how he left out the fact that she was with Troy and smiled as she thought back to their date. "And um…I was just wondering if you wanted to go this weekend again?"

Gabriella breathed out as they reached nearer to Troy, Chad, and Taylor. Gabriella saw Chad say something to Troy making Troy turn around with a smile on his face as Chad and Taylor had confused faces on and the instant Troy's eyes left Gabriella's and saw her walking with Brent his smile left his face as he glared at Brent.

"Actually, I kind of already have a boyfriend Brent." Gabriella said as she turned to look at him. Brent stopped in his tracks and looked down at her.

"Who?" Brent asked surprised as from the knowledge from Jake a couple of weeks ago, Gabriella never really had had a boyfriend at East High seeing as she never had time and Brent found this perfect for him. He could get in and out all in one night.

Gabriella didn't seem to hear as she just nodded at Brent with a sympathetic smile. "I'll see you around Brent." Gabriella said distractedly as she crossed the hall to the waiting Troy and the still confused Taylor and Chad. "Hey…" Gabriella greeted almost sheepishly as Troy and Gabriella shared a greeting kiss as Taylor, Chad, and Brent's faces dropped.

When Gabriella and Troy pulled back Gabriella could heard Brent moving down the hallway as he growled at some poor sophomore. Gabriella and Troy turned towards Chad and Taylor as Troy was now behind Gabriella with his hands resting on her flat stomach and her fingers interlacing with his.

"What the--" Taylor started.

"Hell?" Chad finished as Troy nuzzled his face into Gabriella's crook of the neck to take in her sweet scent while pressing a kiss to her neck.

"We have news for you two." Gabriella said as Troy propped his chin on her shoulder.

"Actually for the whole school." Troy cut in as Gabriella nodded.

Taylor and Chad shared a look as they seemed to already know where this was going, but yet they were surprised. They both have never seen Gabriella this truly happy with any other guy besides Jake and that was just because they were best friends.

"We're official." Gabriella said as Chad's jaw dropped even more.

"No way, you're whipped." Chad teased Troy as Troy rolled his eyes and Taylor hit Chad on the back of his head.

"You're girlfriend is standing right here, which means you're whipped also." Taylor scolded as Chad rubbed the back of his head.

Gabriella and Troy just looked at each other as they leaned in for another kiss before the warning bell sounded.

Thinking about the past week wasn't working the best as she heard more clapping and knew that she was going to go on after the next seven dancers. She looked around from her sitting position on the ground and saw dance coaches, moms, and dads all around talking with their children, encouraging them and giving them last minute advice. Gabriella stood up and rubbed her temples. She was getting too anxious.

"Hey there Gabi." A male's voice echoed through her ears and she twirled around to see Troy coming towards her. Gabriella had a smile on her face as Troy kissed her briefly as she was pretty sure that they received some glares from the parents of the 12 year olds. Troy looked around and saw over fifty girls. "So how many are you competing against?"

Gabriella looked around also and saw that most of the 17 year olds were standing around each other. Gabriella sighed as she turned back to Troy, there was at least ten of them and only three places. She was grouped with the 17 year olds since they competed in age groups and her birthday is in a later month, January.

"About ten." Gabriella said and Troy could sense the worry in her voice.

Gabriella breathed in as Troy's right hand cupped her cheek and she leaned into his touch. It seemed so bizarre to Gabriella that the two could get so close in this amount of time. And then the following week was homecoming week so she was going shopping with Taylor tomorrow for a dress, and then a day after homecoming was Halloween which Jake always had a party for. Things seemed to be going by so quickly.

"You're gonna do great. And I should know, I've seen your routine." Troy said confidently and Gabriella couldn't help but smile at how Jake and Troy sounded so familiar. Jake just told her the same thing thirty minutes ago when he came back there to see if she was okay.

Gabriella let out a small laugh, "God, I don't know why I'm like this, and how did you get back here?" Gabriella asked.

Troy shrugged, "I used my charm on the coordinator." Troy bit back a laugh at Gabriella's face.

"She's like 50 years old." Gabriella exclaimed as they both laughed at this and received more glares from parents that were trying to prep their kids. "I think we're getting people mad." Gabriella whispered.

"They can go fu--" Gabriella covered Troy's mouth with her hand.

"Troy, you can't say that around 12 year olds." Gabriella scolded as she took her hand back from Troy's mouth.

Troy rolled his eyes teasingly as he pulled Gabriella closer to him with his hands on her waist. "They're gonna hear it sooner or later, and I bet their parents would thank me that they didn't hear it from one of their idols or something."

Just then applause could be heard and Gabriella swore that it was getting louder and louder with each person that went on. Gabriella closed her eyes until they stopped and the announcer's voice went on and Troy was looking down at her curiously. "What's up?"

"Nothing, it's just…nothing." Gabriella said. "You should probably head back out there." Gabriella said reluctantly.

"Okay, see you in a little bit, front and center." Troy said as they shared another kiss. "You're gonna blow them away Gabi, remember that." Troy whispered in her ear as they shared one last kiss until they heard some mother scold her child for looking at such an 'abomination.' Troy and Gabriella pulled back with a laugh and Gabriella watched another person walk away leaving her to her thoughts. Gabriella just really wished her mother was there right now.

"So what's up with that tricky situation Montez?" Jake asked on Wednesday night as the two were on the football field at 9 at night after Jake finally convinced Gabriella to leave the studio for the night. Jake threw Gabriella the football as she ungracefully tried to catch it.

Gabriella shrugged as she tried to throw it back, but only made it go three fourths of the way to him. Jake let out a small laugh as he ran over to Gabriella and they both plopped down onto the damp grass.

"I honestly don't know. Things are so iffy with us. It's like…we aren't fighting, but we're not really talking like we used to either?" Gabriella more like questioned as she thought back to her mom's and hers conversation that morning which only consisted of a few short words.

Gabriella knew that her mom wasn't mad at her, but it was obvious that Gabriella was still a little ticked off at her mom, and as long as Gabriella showed resentment to her then Anna would match that, and deep down Gabriella didn't blame her.

Jake put his hand over Gabriella's and rubbed her knuckles briefly as he offered her a sympathetic smile. "Things will get better, they always do."

Gabriella sighed, "This is so…fucked up." Gabriella said slowly.

"Hey, at least you have me." Jake said and Gabriella smiled at him.

"I actually have something to tell you." Gabriella looked at the ground avoiding his worried look. She knew that even though Jake and Troy got along at the beach the previous weekend, something was still up with Jake whenever Troy's name was brought up and it started happening when Gabriella and Troy first started dating, but yet it couldn't be that bad because Jake was known to have a temper and he wasn't acting on his feelings yet.

"What is it Gabs?" Jake asked softly.

"You know at the beach, well…" Gabriella drew out the word with a smile playing at her lips. "Troy asked me out officially." Gabriella said quickly as she looked up with a small smile and questioning eyes as she saw Jake tense up for a second and then put on a smile.

Jake couldn't help but remember the memory a couple of weeks ago of what Haley had told him about Troy dating behind her back even though they weren't official, but either were Troy and Gabriella for the first three weeks, how does Gabriella know that he wasn't with any other girl within those 21 days? Jake didn't want to jump to conclusions though either because he knew that this was Gabriella's first real relationship that didn't include a one night stand, so he wanted to support her and he didn't personally have anything against Troy, so he didn't want to tear him down either, but if he ever found out that he cheated on her, then he would beat the shit out of him, there was no question about that.

"And you said?…" Jake urged.

Gabriella's face broke out into a grin, relieved that Jake was taking this so well and she didn't feel like she had to hide her excitement. "I said yes of course." Gabriella smiled brightly and Jake couldn't help but smile with Gabriella as he stood up and offered Gabriella his hand.

"And what about you and Haley?"

"What about me and Haley?" Jake asked hoping to avoid the subject.

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. You two seemed pretty close at the beach. Huh?" Gabriella nudged him although Jake didn't budge since Gabriella was a weakling compared to him.

Jake shrugged, "It's going pretty damn good."

"Pretty damn good." Gabriella repeated as she would've never guessed two years ago that her and Troy Bolton, a.k.a blue eyed hottie would be dating.

Gabriella nearly was hyperventilating. She had no idea why though, she knew that she wanted her mother, but did she actually need her there to say a few words to her before. Gabriella knew that she was out in the crowd with Eric, and Gabriella was okay with that, but for some reason something felt like it was missing. Gabriella bit her bottom lip seeing as she was the next one up and Jake, Chad, and Taylor were there, Eric and her mom were there, and then there was Troy. Maybe that's why her nerves were getting the best of her, because Troy was there.

Nerves were never a problem with Gabriella and now she's becoming more nervous because she's freaking out that she has nerves in the first place. Gabriella was pacing as the song started and she could just imagine this girl getting a perfect score even though that was highly unlikely since it was almost impossible to get a perfect score, the most Gabriella got was a 9.8, 9.5, and 9.4 and that was last year where she nearly worked herself to death and her body almost shut down.

"You keep pacing and you might wear yourself out." Gabriella stopped in her tracks as she heard her mother's voice. Gabriella turned around and nearly ran to her mom, plowing her over as she engulfed her in a hug. Even though things were rocky between them Gabriella knew that this could just be the thing to fix things and she was willing to do anything to just talk to her mother again in a real conversation.

"Mom!" Gabriella squealed with excitement. "What are you doing back here?" Gabriella asked with excitement in her voice.

Anna shrugged seeing as she didn't want to give away the person that tipped her off that her daughter was nearly hyperventilating. Anna smiled down at her daughter as she stroked her hand up and down her back soothingly. "I told you I would be watching, didn't I?"

Gabriella smiled as she hugged her mom another time. "Yeah, and I didn't doubt you."

Anna laughed, "Sure." She said sarcastically as both women laughed. "Now, what's getting to you?"

Gabriella looked down at the ground. "I don't know." She mumbled.

"Hey." Anna said and Gabriella instantly looked up recognizing that tone of voice. Gabriella wouldn't dare disobey that voice, but she couldn't help the smile that took over her face knowing that the coaching side of Anna Montez was shining through. "What have I been telling you since day one?"

"Not to let the audience get to me?" Gabriella more like questioned seeing as Anna has told her so many things it's hard to keep up sometimes.

Anna smile. "Yeah, who cares how much they're cheering for someone else, it only matters when they cheer for you. And even though I haven't seen your routine, I believe in you." Gabriella looked at her mom with glossy eyes. "I am 100 percent sure that you're gonna do your best, and go for the win. This is your theatre, your dance, your trophy and I'm trusting you to protect that." Anna had both of her hands on Gabriella's shoulder as the audience started cheering wildly and Gabriella swallowed hard as her mother's brown eyes looked at her own. "Do you hear me?"

Gabriella nodded, this is what was missing. Her mother's boost of confidence, her mother's words and even though to some people they didn't seem clever, they were clever enough for Gabriella to go out there without worry and to just have fun.

Gabriella heard the announcer say her name and her mother gave her a kiss on the forehead and nudged her forward with a smile. Gabriella walked out into the bright lights that she was used to. This was her stage, she wasn't going to mess up and let some other girl take it away in front of her friends, her boyfriend, and most importantly for now…her mother.

Gabriella practically leapt off of the stage and to the back of it with a huge smile plastered on her face. She had come in first place again and she couldn't help the smile on her face. The audience started to disperse and Gabriella just stood there as parents filtered into the backstage to greet their sad, mad, or happy children. Gabriella was clutching onto a huge trophy that had a dancer at the top and this was just another thing to put on her college applications next year.

Gabriella looked around and saw the top of Eric's head which meant that her mother was right by him. Gabriella smiled and waved Eric and Anna over. She had met Eric more over the past few weeks and had actually grown to like him more than a convenience to get her out of dance practice.

"You did great Gabriella." Eric said as they shared a high five, and this was what Gabriella liked most about him, he was easy to talk to and it was like he was a giant kid himself.

"Thanks." Gabriella said shyly as she felt the color go to her cheeks. She looked at her mom with expecting eyes as Anna engulfed her in a hug.

"I am so proud of you. I hope you realize this is why I didn't help you, to show you that you can do this by yourself." Anna whispered in her ear as Gabriella nodded her head against her mom.

She did understand and she felt different too, like it was a bigger accomplishment. "I do mom, thanks."

Anna kissed the top of her head, "Now go over by your friends, I'll take this and put it up at the studio later tonight."

Gabriella looked up at her mom, "Are you sure?" Gabriella asked as she looked over her shoulder to see Taylor, Jake, and Chad waiting for her.

"Yeah, go have fun and have Troy bring you home by midnight honey. I love you." Anna said as Eric slipped his hand around her waist.

"I love you too." Gabriella said as she gave her mom the trophy that weighed 10 pounds and pranced on over to her friends, but was confused since she didn't see Troy.

"Hey Gabster. Great job!" Chad exclaimed as he gave her a hug along with Taylor.

"You did awesome." Taylor said as the three pulled away and before Gabriella could say thanks Jake got her into a bear hug.

"You kicked some ass!" He exclaimed as Gabriella laughed and they received glares from parents that covered their little ones ears. "Who knew all that work would pay off?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes as she scanned the crowd for Troy. "Thanks, does anyone know where--"

"He said he needed to use the bathroom and he would meet us here." Chad interrupted.

"Okay, well then I'll just go look for him. Thank you guys so much for coming, it means a lot to me." Gabriella said.

"We wouldn't miss it, and I'll see you tomorrow for shopping." Taylor said. "God it feels so good to say that, we haven't done anything in a long time."

Gabriella smiled as Taylor and her shared one last hug, "I know, see you later guys." Gabriella's eyes scanned the little groups of people by the door and then felt her face go sour as her eyes darkened and narrowed and her fists clenched. Gabriella saw Clair who lived in the upper part of New Mexico that would come around for competitions and had long blonde hair and green eyes flirting with an uncomfortable looking Troy who was backed up against the wall.

Gabriella knew that Troy got around with girls before, but deep down he was a nice guy so it wasn't in his blood to physically hurt a girl to get her to leave him alone, so Gabriella was going to take it upon herself to do it for him. Gabriella hated Clair more than anyone. Clair was always trying to out stage Gabriella at dancing, but Gabriella always came out ontop.

Gabriella figured Clair must have seen Troy and Gabriella talking before or else she probably would've already been talking to the judges asking why she only came in second. And she already pulled this little stunt when she thought last year that Jake and Gabriella were dating.

Gabriella walked up and put on a fake smile as Troy and her caught each other's eyes and Clair turned to see where Troy was looking. "Montez." Clair spat out as Gabriella fit into Troy's side perfectly with his arm around her shoulders and Gabriella's arm around his waist.

"Olsen." Gabriella spat back. "What's up?"

Clair's eyes were narrow as Gabriella matched her look. "Just explaining to Troy here the importance of positions and moving your body rhythmically." It rolled off of Clair's tongue perfectly that Gabriella believed she actually said these things in her mirror.

Before Gabriella could retort Clair's parents were calling her over and the two girls put on fake cheerful smiles as Troy still had on an awkward smile. "Gabriella, wonderful performance tonight." Mrs. Olsen complimented as she walked over leaving Mr. Olsen in the background.

Gabriella smiled as Clair and her put on an act in front of the parents. "Thank you."

"Mama, we should get going. Bye Gabi." Clair said sweetly as the two girls hugged each other. Clair smirked at Troy when her back was to her mother and Gabriella couldn't see as Troy just rolled his eyes.

"See you around Clair." Gabriella smiled as she waved goodbye.

"In February." Clair called back and then she was out of sight.

"Oh my God! I hate her so much." Gabriella vented. "She should just go fuck herself if she's that desperate."

"Hey," Troy said as Gabriella looked at him. "You did awesome. And now that we're semi alone right now, I can do this." Troy said as he picked Gabriella up and spun her around making her laugh and drawing some other people's attention over to the group. "You did great Gabi." Troy whispered into her ear as they hugged each other and he pressed a kiss right below her ear. Troy looked up and saw Anna Montez looking at the two as Eric was busy talking to Jake and Chad about something. Anna winked at Troy and Troy gave her the thumbs up. Troy was now glad that he told Anna that Gabriella was panicking, Gabriella really pulled through and he was proud for her.

"Thank you so much for coming Troy." Gabriella said as she pecked Troy on the cheek.

"That's all I get Montez." Troy teased pretending to be hurt.

Gabriella smirked, "You'll get some more later tonight after dinner."

Troy smirked as well, "Is that so? Then we better get going."

"Yeah, let me just go change real quick in the back and I'll meet you by the door in five?" Gabriella asked as Troy nodded. "Great, and stay hidden from Clair." Gabriella joked even though she was half serious. If there was one girl that Gabriella didn't trust with Troy then it was Clair, Gabriella would rather have the whole population of their school in one room with Troy instead of just Clair.

"Wait." Troy said abruptly pulling Gabriella back to him and stealing a kiss. "Now you can go. Five minutes." Troy said as Gabriella disappeared through the thinning out crowd.

Gabriella was all dressed in her black spaghetti strap dress that went down to her knees and showed off a little cleavage, but not enough to make her labeled a slut. Troy was already in khaki pants with a dress shirt and a suit jacket and he told her the other day that he was treating her to one of the more nicer restaurants of their town.

Gabriella smiled at herself as she had let her hair down from the bun it was in and picked up her sports bag from the ground. Gabriella had to laugh to herself as she was exiting the changing room thinking how weird she must look all dressed up and then carrying her big sports bag that looked like it could make her fall over at anytime.

Gabriella looked behind her one last time to see that there were some people still there and her mom, Eric, Jake, Taylor, and Chad were all still talking across the backstage. Gabriella turned around and nearly tripped over her own feet at seeing the person before her. Gabriella dropped her bag out of pure shock as her face paled and her eyes instantly glossed over. She hadn't seen this person in what seemed like forever.

Gabriella opened her mouth to speak to the man before her who was in his early forties, had dark brown hair that was just like Gabriella's that could pull off being black, had tan skin, and had Gabriella's eyes. He gave her a warm smile and Gabriella couldn't believe that he would have the decency to just pop up in her life especially at a dance competition.

"Hey Gabriella." He greeted as Gabriella just stared wide eyed at him. Gabriella felt the nerves from before erupt in her stomach once more and the need to sit down becoming almost necessary.

"Dad?"