Chapter 22

To say it was chaos would be an understatement.

It was like hell had just seeped through the ground.

It started on the bleachers, scared and afraid of the darkness. Someone screamed and the audience stood up, despite the staff's efforts to calm down. The audience descended the bleachers, determined to leave before anything else happened.

But there was something in their way: the dancers.

Gabriella stood, frozen, as she listened. She couldn't see anything, but she could feel the gym floor vibrating as thousands and thousands began to run, the panic almost tangible.

A stampede.

"Brie!" someone shouted. "Brie!"

Troy, thought Gabriella. Yes, Troy! I'm here!

But fear kept her mouth frozen and she couldn't make herself even whisper those words. But she didn't have to. Troy found her and grabbed her hand.

Suddenly, the TV screen on the wall lit up. Everyone turned to stare at the sudden lights.

"You should've just killed me, Dad. You were right. I deserved to die."

Troy gave a start. No, that wasn't his voice...

"Now you shouldn't be saying that about yourself."

By now, the entire audience was watching and screen became clear, showing a darkened classroom. Some people pointed as they recognized the dancer.

"Who are you? Eavesdropping, huh? Don't you have something better to do?"

"Well, excuuuse me. For your information, I was in classroom waaay before you. So technically, it's your fault."

Gabriella's mouth dropped. When had this happened?

"I'm Taylor. Taylor McKessie. No need to ask who you are. You're that Bolton guy."

"Yeah."

"I've heard a lot about you."

"That's great. What did you hear then? Pleasant stuff, huh? Or the usual? Pushing girls down the stairs. Oh! how about the latest one..."

"How you gave that Tiffany girl your ring and humuliated Gabriella? I don't believe that."

In the dim lighting of the screen, Troy could see Gabriella's face. Now, finally, finally she would know.

"You don't seem like the type of person who would do that. Besides...I was there. I saw everything, including the look on your face. And I see the way you look at Tiffany. There's no way you like her. You like Gabriella. I can tell...Yeah, I know. It seems like everyone is against you. But like I said, I was there. I know everything."

"Too bad the whole school doesn't. Even Gabriella hates me now. And Sharpay, too."

"Yeah, well, Gabriella's stubborn. And Sharpay...I don't know her too well, but..."

"Well, at least someone believes me."

"Wait. Just answer me one thing." There was a pause. "Do you really love Gabriella?"

Everyone leaned in, waiting for the answer. They were completely captivated now, the fear and panic now gone. As if the gym was just a quiet theatre and the screen was a projection of a long awaited film.

"More than you can imagine."

Suddenly, the lights came back on.

People turned to each other and whispered. What was this? What was going on?

Gabriella looked at Troy, her brown eyes ridden with guilt.

"Troy," she said. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I should've believed you."

Troy smiled. "It's okay."

A tear trickled out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm so stupid," Gabriella cried. "I actually believed that you liked her-"

Suddenly, Troy grabbed her arm and pulled her into a tight hug. He whispered again, "It's okay."

The entire crowd watched and a loud chorus of "awwww" went through the gym. Sharpay gave out a loud sniff and Ryan stared at her in shock.

"Are you crying?" he whispered.

Ooh! He probably deserved that kick.

Suddenly, the MC pushed its way into the crowd.

He cleared his throat. "I would just like to announce the winners."

Suddenly, the crowd was still.

"For second runner up," the MC said. "Pamela's School of Arts."

A large cheer came from a corner and everyone applauded.

"For first runner up," the MC went on, "The Hot Stuff Dance School."

Another cheer, this time louder.

"And in first place," the MC finally said.

The air was still as everybody waited. Some leaned in, eager to hear the grand prize winner.

"In first place," the MC finally said, "...the Johnson's School of Arts."

The sound was ear-shattering as everyone leaped and shouted. Some found Troy and Gabriella in the center and shook their hands eagerly. Others went over to Julie, offering their congratulations.

"We won," Gabriella said. "We actually won!"

"You did it, Brie," Troy told her.

"We did it," Gabriella said, squeezing his hand.

"And you passed gym class!" Taylor added, giving her friend a hug.

For a moment, Gabriella had forgotten about that. Remembering it made this moment even better.

"Let's go out to celebrate!" someone shouted. The entire gym erupted in cheer, making way for the team that had just won the large trophy being carried by the Evans twins.

"Hey, after you change out of the dress," Troy suggested, "why don't we go somewhere else? Ditch the crowd and have that date?"

Gabriella smiled.

"I thought you'd never ask."