The audience went wild.

This was the night that Gabriella had been preparing for. She closed her eyes as she was replaying her routine in her mind knowing it would either go perfect or completely disastrous as she had only been able to nail it perfectly the previous day as her mind had been anywhere else besides the competition, mostly on the blue eyed boy who occupied her dreams and reality now even more.

Her legs shook as she leaned against the cold cement wall, behind the stage where everything was going on if you weren't in the audience, a dancer, or a judge. Kids were rushing around, trying to fix their hair, their costumes/outfits, and trying to work out the last few kinks in their routines.

She shut her eyes feeling her blood rush wildly through her body, nerves crossing through her system as her head spun. She could do this, but she couldn't get over the applause the first dancer in her group got. These were some of the best dancers around the south western part of the Country, how the hell did she end up here? Even though deep down she knew, but it still made her think that she didn't belong here when everyone that she knew was at the Championships in the stands right now getting ready to cheer their hearts out or in the locker room getting pumped up. She had to mentally and emotionally push the want and need of going to the game out of her mind or else she wouldn't be able to concentrate.

"Here." Her grandma's voice spoke out through Gabriella's hearing barriers as the barrier wasn't working as she swore that she could still hear the echo of the applause the last dancer got in the background of the announcer's voice right now.

Gabriella looked down at her grandmother's offering hand and saw her ipod already turned on. "Listen to your song. Block out everything else." She spoke softly as Gabriella nodded dumbly as she had a hunch that her grandmother knew that she was nervous since she was barely holding it together.

She heard girls laughing in the background as she turned her head and saw Clair once again for the first time since October. "Gabriella, focus." Her voice was sturdy but yet it held a softness that contradicted what she said.

Gabriella turned her head again giving her grandma full attention as she reached out a shaking, nervous hand and took her music player from her and put it into her awaiting ear drums to take her away from all the background noise and applause the blonde eighteen year old just got from doing her three minute routine.

Gabriella sunk back against the wall and down to the ground. Why did this feel so wrong? She had Jake in the crowd as Taylor wanted to be there but Gabriella convinced her to go watch Chad play since he was one of the main players, her dad was there sitting by Jake as Haley hadn't been around for two weeks now. Gabriella had seen her in school a couple of times and all they did was offer each other smiles as Gabriella was sure that Haley was just not in the mood to talk to the her ex-boyfriend's best friend.

"You okay?" Her grandmother asked as Gabriella wondered how her voice could break through the music that was blaring through the ear phones lodged into her ears, but nonetheless pulled one of them out and shrugged. Was she okay?

"…Yeah, just…nervous." She admitted sheepishly as her grandma nodded her head.

"That's understandable There's a lot riding on this dance." Her tone was sympathetic as Gabriella couldn't help but think that those words were not what she wanted to hear. "So I uh talked to your mother…" It seemed as if everything fell silent as Gabriella ripped out the other head phone so she could hear properly. She absentmindedly shut it off without even having to look down.

Ms. Darbus smiled down at her granddaughter with a proud smile on her face, oblivious to the fact that Gabriella was only hurting because she longed and felt like she needed Troy right now as she didn't even know that the two broke things off for now.

"Really?" Gabriella asked with eagerness as she stood up and blocked the whirling sensations her head was going through as she knew that it was just from nerves to get this perfect for her mom.

"Yeah…she sends her luck and she wanted me to tell you that there's still time to go to the game." Ms. Darbus sounded puzzled and sent Gabriella a look that told her to explain since it wasn't really fair in her case that she took all her free time in preparing something for her and coaching her for the last three weeks.

Gabriella looked down at the ground letting out an uncomfortable sigh. "It's just…Troy and I aren't really together anymore." She admitted as she heard a gasp come from the older woman in front of her and Gabriella looked up once again.

There was a silence and Gabriella fidgeted in her spot. She couldn't get his eyes, his face, his body out of her mind as she thought back to their last conversation in the locker room and how they ended things on Friday, the previous day.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Gabriella shook her head as the sound of applause broke her out of her and her grandmother's tense, less enthused conversation. Gabriella nearly jumped as there was whistling, cheers, and thunderous clapping as she looked and saw a panting giddy red head walk backstage as most of the girls in their ranking gave her dirty looks. Gabriella knew that dancers sometimes weren't always the most pleasant people when it came to competition, especially when there were Julliard representatives out there.

Neither woman noticed the slim figure walk up behind them., they didn't notice the way the huge smile that could've taken over the world if it got any bigger was on her face, or recognize feeling the woman had towards her daughter knowing that she didn't want to be there right now.

"What are you doing?"

Gabriella froze in her spot as she recognized that voice and turned slowly while biting down on her lip, almost drawing out blood to keep her squeal in of excitement, but then confusion took over as she wondered what her mom was doing here instead of being over in France, and then even more confusion as she tried to decipher what her mom asked her.

"Sorry, I was just--" Her voice was nervous as she looked around quickly. "Jake was--He told me to meet him here." Gabriella spoke in a rush and Troy was pretty sure he looked like a deer caught in headlights.

He dropped the basketball that was in his hands as he knew that he was the only one in the gym seeing as his dad didn't want to wear the team down the last day before the championships.

He walked over to her cautiously as he knew he couldn't stand this for much longer. He originally thought that she would want to get back together with him after all these crazy things passed, but now he wasn't sure as it seemed to him that she was avoiding him in the halls and class. He at least thought that they could've stayed friends as he thought after the party two weeks ago that they left off on at least a friendly feeling.

"My dad actually had to talk to him about the scholarship thing." Troy said as Gabriella shifted the duffel bag that he recognized held her dance stuff in it on her shoulder.

He felt like he was going somewhat insane as he couldn't even remember the last time they had physical contact or he just reached over and kissed her on the cheek. It was all becoming too much and in practice over the past couple of weeks he felt like he had no motive to get him through basketball and play at his full potential.

He was trying to be the good 'boyfriend' or at least a good guy who was on a break with his girlfriend, he didn't want to pressure her. But he was slowly going insane and in order to play at his full potential in the next day's game, he had to know something.

"Well I better go then…" Gabriella trailed off as she backed up towards the two doors she had just walked through.

"Wait!" He called out just like she did on the night of the party exactly two weeks ago from standing on the porch.

"I fucked up man." Troy moaned into his hands. "I fucked up the best relationship I've ever had and she hates me."

Chad rolled his eyes as Troy blew out a breath of air, trying to get a concept on what he did the other day. Why did he have to be so impatient at times. Oh yeah…he loved her. Of course he would want her back.

"No, you fucked up the only relationship you've had." Chad corrected as Troy lifted his head that was resting in his hands and glared at his best friend. He did not need to be hearing this.

"That's not helping." Troy hissed.

"Good." Chad said in a simple tone. "It's not supposed to." Troy contorted his face into confusion as Chad finished lacing up his shoes and ruffled his already curly messed up hair using his fingers. "I don't know what went down yesterday because you won't tell me, but it probably isn't as bad as you think and right now your team needs you to be at your best. So suck it up and take care of your problems after we beat West High." Chad commanded and it made Troy wonder when his friend got so good at giving him advice.

"…Yeah?" Her voice was almost scared like and he knew that it was only because they were alone in the gym together with no one around.

Troy sighed as he walked even closer to her and let the hurt flash through his eyes as she backed up against the wall and he finally caged her in without even touching her in any way.

"You have to tell me." Troy pleaded. "You have to tell me if we have any chance together after tomorrow." He looked into her eyes and he couldn't believe that she was thinking about it. "Please Gabi?"

She sighed as her body tried to struggle underneath his, but he wasn't letting her leave just yet. He had to know. "Troy…if I don't concentrate on dance then I'm not going to win." She stated as her voice broke a little.

"It's one more day, just answer me straight forward. No 'can't concentrate' crap that you've been feeding me." He demanded. "I need to know."

Gabriella stiffened a little as he moved his body closer to her so she didn't get away for sure. It felt so reassuring that he was practically on top of her right now as they hadn't been this close in a while now.

"Just give me one day and we'll talk after tomorrow, please?" She asked and Troy shook his head no.

Troy pushed himself up and off the bench and started making his way towards the locker room door leading out into the hallway which lead to the outside exit of the school building.

"What are you doing?!" Chad shouted after him as Troy could sense everyone's eyes on him.

He just waved his hand effortlessly as it felt fifty time heavier then normal. He needed some air.

"I can't wait Gabi." He begged her. "It's either now or never that you tell me if we can ever be what we were before the car accident and this whole dancing thing."

He watched as her glossed over eyes looked past him and down to the ground. "Troy…you have to understand." She cried herself. "If I get distracted once then it can all go wrong. Right now, it's just a hazard waiting to happen. And you asking me this right now could really effect us in the long run." Gabriella pointed out.

Troy sighed as he stepped back, he got his answer. He looked at her with hurt in his eyes, mixed in with ice. "I think I got my answer."

"Just listen Troy." Gabriella whimpered as he stepped back even more.

"No. I think you made it perfectly clear that you're just too busy to have a boyfriend anymore and I really do love you…it's just obvious now that you love dance too and you just don't have enough room in your heart for the both of us." He looked down at the ground dejectedly.

"Wildcat…" She started as he looked up from the ground as she had the nerve to use her nickname for him again.

"Get out." He demanded.

"What?--"

"Get out." He said louder as she didn't need to be told twice and scurried out of the gym, leaving him with the memory of her hurt filled brown eyes.

"Mom?!" Gabriella gasped as she ran over to her and nearly knocked her over as she gave her a huge hug, half expecting her to break down any minute and tell her that her and Eric were over for good, but she didn't look sad. "What are you doing here?" Gabriella asked as she pulled back, but they kept their arms around each other.

Anna smiled down at her and Ms. Darbus slowly walked over. "I'm here for you kid. I just couldn't stay away and miss this big night for you."

Gabriella felt a blush creep onto her cheeks as they finally let go of each other and Gabriella was clearly confused as to why she mom was back early, not buying it was just because she wanted to see her daughter.

Anna smiled at her daughter as she looked her over. Gabriella was all ready to dance, but she just didn't realize how much this could hurt her's and Troy's relationship even more. She got her second chance with Eric and it worked out so well that he's coming home in two weeks for good and now her daughter deserved it. After all Gabriella helped her go to Eric, now it was her turn to return the favor.

"What are you doing Gabs?" Anna asked in an all too serious voice that Gabriella did a double take too. What was with her mom asking her that?

"I don't…I don't know what you mean." Gabriella answered lamely as she scoffed at the ground with her foot.

"I think you do. And I know that you broke your promise."

Gabriella looked up at those words. That surely got her attention as she saw her mom bring her hand slowly forward and swipe at one of Gabriella's curls delicately.

"You promised me that you wanted to dance and I just don't see it right now." Anna pointed out.

"But mom, I--"

"Don't but mom me." She said sternly as Gabriella looked around knowing it was almost her time to go on. Clair was on stage performing and Gabriella was right after her. "You promised and you broke that promise, but…I'm gonna let it slide if you promise me one more thing."

Gabriella nodded her head numbly as she could just feel her grandmother's eyes on them. "Promise me that you won't dance."

Gabriella felt her heart skip a beat in surprise. She had been getting so many mixed feelings in the last month, she believed her mom wanted her to dance, and then she was told that it was her choice but she still didn't want to let her mom down, and now her mom was proposing this.

"Get out of here. You leave now and you can make it back to the game at halftime." Anna said as she pushed her daughter towards the door but Gabriella stopped in her tracks and turned around.

She stared at her mother who had an eye brow kinked. "What are you waiting for?"

Gabriella rushed forward and engulfed her in a quick big hug. "Thanks mom." Gabriella whispered before she rushed out of there as quick as her legs would carry her, grabbing her bag that was by the exit on her way out. She had her mother's spare keys in her bag, and this would be the first time in about a month that she would drive, but then again…she would do anything for this boy.

He felt like he couldn't breath as he played in all the first half, only getting breaks when a time-out was called or someone was shooting a free-throw. He walked off the court dimly as the Wildcats were downy by seven points and he heard faintly in the background the music for the cheerleaders start up, even though it echoed through the gym so loud some older people covered their ears because their hearing aids were turned up too much.

He was playing average right now, but unfortunately average wasn't good enough and it seemed like to everyone he was off his game. He was the last one out of their twelve person team to follow his dad into the locker room, the one person however didn't stand out to him as her voice cut through his deep thoughts.

"For some reason I imagined you taller." Her sweet innocent voice made him turn his head and blink in confusion as she was still in her dance outfit which consisted of black loose sweatpants, with a red top that showed off her mid stomach.

"Wh-what?" He stuttered like an idiot as she had a smile on her face that looked so natural and it felt good to see her like this again. "How? When?"

"So I was driving in my mother's new car and I realized something a boy told me weeks ago, it's about time to sell my jeep." Gabriella's tone was light hearted and then she turned serious as she pushed off the wall she was leaning on by the entry way of the locker room and walked over to him as he seemed to be glued to the spot.

"I just couldn't dance Wildcat and you're the reason why." She said as her small hand reached up hesitantly and stroked his cheek reassuringly. He leaned into her touch and she let another small satisfied smile come across her face. "I'm only human, I make mistakes, but I think I just set an all time record for myself when it comes to us."

He breathed heavily as he could barely comprehend that she was here? How was she here, and she didn't look like she just danced her all time best at the show. "Did you uh…did you perform?" He croaked out as his mind slowly wrapped around this moment.

She shook her head no as she kept a smile on her face and he was truly confused now. "No." She whispered as they could both hear his dad's voice calling out for him, wondering where he was. "Um…" She took a breath as she pulled back her hand. "I'm gonna be sticking around after the game, so I'll see you later?" She asked in a hopeful voice as they heard Troy's dad get angrier and angrier as he called out for him again, but it seemed no one knew where he was even though he was just outside the locker room.

He didn't say anything as he was just mesmerized that she was right in front of him and then slowly she started walking backwards, away from his reach.

"Gabi!" He called out as the music blaring in the gym finally seemed to make sense in his mind and he was now aware of everything around him.

He walked up to her frozen body who was looking at him through questioning intense eyes and he cupped her face in his hands and planted his lips on hers for a brief moment. He pulled back as the two heard a clearing of the throat and he momentarily paled as he knew who that belonged too.

"Troy, let's go. Now!" His dad ordered as Troy looked one more time at Gabriella and even though that one kiss wasn't going to fix things between them, they would manage.

"Go on Wildcat. I'll be watching." Gabriella encouraged.

"I still love you." He whispered in her ear before jogging off to his dad feeling an extra energy boost.

"I love you too!"

Author's Note--CHATPER COUNT DOWN--ONE MORE LEFT! Wow, this story has gone by so fast, I seriously feel like I just started writing it a couple of weeks ago and not months. Thanks for your support in reviews and keep them coming.